Galaxy 3C321, the 'death star' galaxy

About 3 minutes worth of video clips relating to the discovery of the active galaxy 3C321.

First clip (46 seconds, no audio)-
'This animation of 3C321 begins with a close-up of the supermassive black hole in the center of the main galaxy. Hot gas is falling towards the black hole via a blue disk. Some of this material is swallowed by the black hole, but much of it is ejected in a narrow jet of particles traveling at almost the speed of light. The camera then pulls back to show stars and a dust lane in the main galaxy. As the field of view continues to increase in size, the companion galaxy becomes visible as it swings into the path of the jet from the main galaxy. The jet is deflected and disrupted by the impact with the companion galaxy.'

Clips 2, 3, 4 and 5 (1:40 seconds)-
'In these segments, Dr. Daniel Evans of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics discusses the 3C321 result and its significance. Dr. Evans and his collaborators made the discovery by combining information from both space-based NASA missions as well as radio observations from the ground.'

Clip 6 (23 seconds, no audio)-
'This series of images shows how 3C321 looks in a variety of types of radiation. Beginning with a wide-field view of X-ray and radio emission, the image reveals jets that extend for about 1.7 million light years before zooming into the central two galaxies. Optical and ultraviolet data from Hubble, radio emission from the Very Large Array and MERLIN, and X-rays from Chandra combine to reveal how the jet from the main galaxy on the lower left is striking its companion galaxy to the upper right. The jet impacts the companion galaxy at its edge and is then disrupted and deflected, much like how a stream of water from a hose will splay out after hitting a wall at an angle.'

Clip 7 (14 seconds, no audio)-
'This sequence compares the composite image of 3C321 to an artist's illustration of the system, showing the main galaxy and the companion galaxy. A jet of particles generated by a supermassive black hole at the center of the main galaxy is striking the companion galaxy. The jet is disrupted and deflected by this impact. The key features of this system are labeled in the final view.'

Source- http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2007/3c321/animations.html more info- http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2007/3c321

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• active
• galaxy
• 3C321
• super
• massive
• black
• hole
• ions
• protons

[joenpamtorres]

Is this Real?

[stevebd1]

It was in the news recently. Search for watch?v=fTKi4etU32c for a video called 'black holes' for more info.

[teknomaker18]

Very interesting video. It could use some music in the intro though.

[daithisogood]

jaysus i would hate to be stuck in a broken lift with this bunch of commentators

[Osutin]

0:46

AAH!

[cml794]

Muito bom. Bastante informativo.

[animationhero421]

IT'S A TRAP!!!

[enoquelopez]

this is fake!

[TheGuyWithTheSniper]

Now you will witness the power of this fully armed and OPERATIONAL black hole!

[CutzmanX]

@daslimshady1: I believe you are correct to call this a quasar but naming conventions of active galactic nuclei (AGN) is a matter of semantics. The more general term is to call it an active galaxy or an AGN in case you are ever confused.

[daslimshady1]

am i right to say this is a quasar

[DaHurler1]

The guy said that the strong concentration of photons (light basically) would seriously effect a planetary atmosphere.

If so, how bad?...Because you have to remember that when he says "strong concentration of photons" hes not on about a laser-pen... It's a supermassive blackhole...

This is basically galaxy death-match.

[yushatak]

Any civilization that might be in that galaxy would not only have a brilliantly interesting night sky, but a very useful power source for probes and spaceships (in one direction) - solar sails ahoy! :D

[mity15]

Its a billion or so light years away think this is so long ago what we now see, I wonder how this galaxies is faring these days?