The James Webb Space Telescope continues to deliver breathtaking images of the cosmos, and its latest target is Messier 106, a nearby spiral galaxy. This particular galaxy is captivating astronomers due to its unusually active central region, known as an active galactic nucleus. This intense activity stems from the supermassive black hole residing at the galaxy’s heart. Like most galaxies, including our own Milky Way, Messier 106 harbors a massive black hole at its core. However, the one in Messier 106 is particularly voracious, consuming surrounding dust and gas with insatiable hunger.
This black hole’s feeding frenzy creates a mesmerizing spectacle. As it spins, it warps the disk of gas surrounding it, creating vibrant streamers of gas that flow outward from the central region. These outflows, visible in radio and X-ray wavelengths, are not typical spiral arms; they are composed of hot gas rather than stars. Astronomers believe these extra arms are a direct result of the black hole’s activity, a phenomenon observed in other galaxies as well. The violent churning of gas around the black hole produces outflowing material, causing a wave-like effect, much like a wave crashing against a rock on the shore.
The James Webb Space Telescope’s Near-InfraRed Camera (NIRCam) captured a stunning image showcasing the active galactic nucleus in the center, glowing in a brilliant bluish-white hue. Surrounding it are orange and red regions representing warm gas. The green and yellow regions depict the extra arms of the galaxy created by the dramatic gas outflows. The center glows with intense brilliance as the black hole devours material, causing the gas to spiral inward. This friction generates immense heat, making the gas glow brightly, as seen in the infrared image captured by the Webb telescope.
