Astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery: a colossal, double-lobed radio jet stretching 200,000 light-years from a quasar dating back to when the universe was just 1.2 billion years old. This jet is not only the largest ever found from such an ancient time but also provides critical insights into the early universe and galaxy formation.
Unveiling Massive Black Holes and Luminous Quasars
Observations have confirmed that most galaxies contain supermassive black holes at their centers. As these black holes consume gas and dust, they emit tremendous energy, creating ultra-bright galactic cores known as quasars. Quasars are known for producing intense jets of energy, detectable even at vast distances using radio telescopes. Identifying such jets in distant galaxies, particularly from the early universe, has long proven challenging—until now.
This newly discovered radio jet, stretching over 200,000 light-years—equivalent to twice the width of our Milky Way’s diameter—marks a significant milestone in our understanding of the universe’s infancy. The observation was made possible using the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR), an international network of radio telescopes located across Europe.
Advanced Telescopes Paint a Complete Picture
To fully characterize the jet and its quasar, researchers supplemented LOFAR data with follow-up observations. Near-infrared imaging using the Gemini Near-Infrared Spectrograph (GNIRS) and optical observations from the Hobby-Eberly Telescope provided additional details. These results are crucial for unveiling the mechanisms and timing behind the formation of early cosmic jets.
The Gemini North telescope, which hosts GNIRS, is part of the International Gemini Observatory, with funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and management by NSF NOIRLab.
Comprehending Early Jet Formation
Anniek Gloudemans, a postdoctoral research fellow at NSF’s NOIRLab and lead author of the study published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, explained, “Our research aimed to study quasars with powerful radio jets, which can help us understand jet formation and its impact on galaxy evolution in the early universe.”
Evaluating the mass and feeding rate of the quasar is essential for understanding its formation history. To measure these parameters, the scientists looked for magnesium broad emission lines characteristic of quasars. Due to the expansion of the universe, this magnesium signal, usually in ultraviolet wavelengths, reaches Earth in the near-infrared range, making it detectable with GNIRS.
A Small Quasar with a Massive Jet
The quasar in question, designated J1601+3102, formed around 1.2 billion years after the Big Bang—only 9% of the universe’s current age. While many quasars possess black holes billions of times more massive than the Sun, J1601+3102’s black hole weighs approximately 450 million solar masses. Despite its relatively lower mass, this quasar produces immensely powerful radio jets, demonstrating that extreme black hole mass or feeding rate is not essential for generating significant early cosmic jets.
“The quasar powering this massive radio jet doesn’t have an extraordinarily large black hole compared to other quasars,” Gloudemans added, highlighting the surprising findings from this study.
The Cosmic Microwave Background Conceals Hidden Jets
Gloudemans explained, “This object’s extreme nature allows us to observe it from Earth despite its immense distance.” She emphasized the importance of combining observations from various wavelengths, highlighting the capabilities of the Gemini North telescope, LOFAR, and the Hobby-Eberly Telescope.
Continuing Mysteries of Early Quasars
While the discovery is groundbreaking, many questions remain about the conditions necessary to form such powerful radio jets. Researchers are also uncertain about the period when the first radio jets emerged in the universe. This collaborative effort, leveraging advanced telescopes, brings us closer to unlocking the secrets of the enigmatic early cosmos.
Conclusion
The discovery of this extraordinary radio jet not only reveals a fascinating aspect of the universe’s infancy but also