Astronomers have studied the heart of the active galaxy PKS 1424240 and created an image of the origin of a cosmic jet. The image shows a ring-shaped magnetic field that could explain the emission of neutrinos and high-energy gamma rays. Through precise radio observations, researchers were able to map the structure of the jet, providing new insights into particle acceleration in active galaxies.

To the point

  • A look into the heart of an active galaxy: Astronomers have captured an image of the origin of a cosmic jet. The image and its artificial coloring remind of the eye of Sauron.

  • The question of the origin of neutrinos: PKS 1424240 is the brightest neutrino-emitting object of its kind. However, the concentrated mass flow is too slow to explain the emission of neutrinos.

  • Spiral magnetic fields accelerate particles: 15 years of precise observations with the Very Long Baseline Array have enabled a detailed analysis of the jet’s origin. The radio image could solve this problem, as it shows ring-shaped magnetic fields, an environment that acts like a spring and can accelerate particles to high energies. This in turn explains neutrinos and high-energy gamma radiation.