A recently observed jet being emitted from a large black hole is being called by researchers an event of “never-before witnessed galactic violence.” While many of these jets have been seen being discharged from black holes, this is the first time that humans have seen one striking into another galaxy.
The assumption being made is that the impact of these jets on its close neighbouring galaxy will be a destructive one. Jets produced by black holes contain high amounts of radiation which can be lethal to human beings and their environments.
"This jet could be causing all sorts of problems for the
smaller galaxy it is pummelling," says Harvard-Smithsonian scientist Dan Evans.
“The combined effects of the radiation and particles travelling at almost the
speed of light could severely damage the atmospheres of planets lying in the
path of the jet, the researchers said.” General damage to the neighbouring
galaxy is expected to be substantial because of the relatively close proximity
of the two – a mere 20,000 light years apart.
But the aftermath of the destruction could be construction, a chaos preceding
the cosmos, the pain of something harsh before the birth of something new and
beautiful.
According to scientists, the vast flood of energy and radiation could also
induce the birth of stars and planets after the death that it’s expected to
produce. As we often see in nature, a new door opens after an old one has been
closed. And just as winter approaches after the summer has disappeared, so too
new life flows forth after the old has withdrawn.
