Jets

Definition

Jets are high-speed streams of ionized matter ejected from the regions around supermassive black holes. They travel at nearly the speed of light and can extend across thousands or even millions of light-years.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Jets are often observed in active galactic nuclei (AGN) and quasars.
2. They are powered by the accretion disk surrounding a supermassive black hole.
3. Jets emit radiation across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, including radio waves, visible light, and X-rays.
4. The interaction of jets with interstellar medium can produce shock waves and radio lobes.
5. Jets play a crucial role in transporting energy and matter away from the central regions of galaxies.

Review Questions

• What powers the formation of jets in active galactic nuclei?
• How do jets contribute to the emission across different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum?
• What effect do jets have on their surrounding environment?

Related terms

Accretion Disk:

A rotating disk of matter formed by material falling into a gravitational source such as a black hole.

Quasar:

An extremely luminous AGN powered by a supermassive black hole at its center.

Radio Lobes:

Large regions of radio-emitting gas created by the interaction between jets and interstellar medium.