NASA scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in galaxy NGC 5084, located about 80 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo. Using data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory and images from the Hubble Space Telescope, they identified a black hole tilted 90 degrees relative to the galaxy's plane. This rare alignment is accompanied by twin plasma plumes forming a striking "X" shape, a phenomenon never before observed.
Cutting-edge analysis reveals hidden secrets
The discovery was made possible by a new image analysis technique called Selective Amplification of Ultra Noisy Astronomical Signal (SAUNAS). This method detected faint X-ray emissions, deviating from the typical spherical distribution. Scientists believe this irregularity hints at a significant event in the galaxy's history.
Dr. Pamela Marcum from NASA's Ames Research Center highlighted how the tilted dusty disk and unusual X-ray structures provide fresh insights into the past of NGC 5084.
A Galactic Collision Likely Behind the Tilt
Further investigation using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) unveiled a dusty ring at the galactic core, perfectly aligned with the black hole's tilt. These anomalies suggest a dramatic collision with another galaxy, likely triggering massive plasma outflows above and below the galactic plane.
Dr. Alejandro Serrano Borlaff from NASA described this as a transformative event, shedding light on the dynamic processes that shaped NGC 5084.
Old Data, New Discoveries
This discovery underscores the power of modern processing techniques applied to decades-old data. NASA researchers plan to continue studying this tilted black hole to uncover more details about the violent cosmic event that reshaped NGC 5084’s structure and orientation.
This extraordinary find showcases the potential of multi-wavelength observations and advanced imaging methods in uncovering the universe’s hidden mysteries.
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