Scientists Uncover Secrets at Centre of Black Holes

Scientists say they have moved one step closer to understanding the processes occurring in supermassive black holes. Black holes are thought to be the feature at the rotational centre of most galaxies.

For the first time astronomers have observed a blazer in action – one of the most energetic objects in the universe that is fuelled by supermassive black holes.

Periodically these black holes emit jets of high-energy plasma at almost the speed of light.

The astronomers, based at Boston University and the University of Michigan (U-M), discovered that the jets were propelled by magnetic fields that were twisted by the gravity of the black hole and the materials falling into it.

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[edit on 1/5/08 by masqua]