A black hole and colliding galaxy clusters likely shaped the ‘Treble Clef’ radio waves
Chandra and eROSITA X-ray observations indicate that the radio-wave formation nicknamed the “Treble Clef” sits within two merging galaxy clusters. Researchers led by Andrea Botteon of Italy’s National Institute for Astrophysics suggest an earlier supermassive black-hole outburst created the radio-emitting particles, which the cluster collision later compressed or reenergised.
Bottom line — The clusters collided a few hundred million years ago and are now moving apart, according to the researchers.
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NASA’s Chandra and the German eROSITA telescope detected the hot gas that revealed the cluster system.
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The formation is difficult to observe because it lies almost directly behind the Milky Way’s plane, whose stars, gas and dust obscure the view.
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The black-hole outburst sent charged particles and magnetic fields out at close to the speed of light, the researchers conclude.
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The radio waves initially faded as the particles lost energy; the cluster collision likely brightened them again.
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Collision-driven shock waves may also have helped reenergise the radio-emitting cloud.
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European radio telescope network LOFAR supplied the radio data used in the composite image.
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The “Treble Clef” is pareidolia: the radio structure has no scientific connection to musical notation.