Black holes reveal more secrets

[Rick]

Scientists say they have unlocked some of the secrets behind black holes, the gravitational fields known for sucking up light and stars from the Universe.

In a report in the journal Nature, US researchers say they have worked out how black holes emit jet streams of particles at close to light speed.

The University of Boston team say the streams originate in the magnetic field near the edge of the black hole.

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7364206.stm

[mickw]

.............................. Ever since the first observations of these powerful jets, which are among the brightest objects seen in the universe, astronomers have wondered what causes the particles to accelerate to such great speeds. A leading hypothesis suggested the black hole's gigantic mass distorts space and time around it, twisting magnetic field lines into a coil that propels material outward.

More:  http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080428-mm-black-hole-blazar.html

[Rick]

An international team of astronomy brainboxes say they have gained valuable initial insights into the behaviour of faraway, molto weirdo space objects known as "blazars".

More: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/03/19/blazar_blowtorch_boffins/