How Scientists Map Black Holes and Jets
In this article, we will be talking about the tools and techniques that made this discovery possible. The EHT uses Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), a method that combines data from radio telescopes around the globe to form a virtual telescope the size of Earth. This technique allows astronomers to capture extremely high-resolution images of regions near black holes, far beyond what any single telescope could achieve.
Recent observations collected by the EHT in 2021 allowed researchers to examine the base of M87*’s jet in greater detail than ever before. By analyzing emissions at multiple scales—from the black hole’s immediate surroundings to the extended jet—scientists could identify a compact region likely responsible for launching the jet.
Pinpointing the Jet’s Origin
The new data revealed a compact emission region about 0.09 light-years from M87*. Researchers believe this marks the base of the relativistic jet, where the black hole’s intense gravitational pull and magnetic fields accelerate material into space at nearly light speed.
“This study represents an important step in connecting theoretical models of jet formation with direct observations,” said Saurabh, a lead researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy. Hendrik Müller of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory added, “We have gradually improved resolution with global VLBI experiments over the years, and it is exciting to see the jet’s base starting to come into focus.”
