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NASA Discovers Electrons Drive X-rays in Black Holes

5/8/2025

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Summary

Story summary

NASA's IXPE has made a groundbreaking discovery: electrons, rather than protons, are the true architects of X-rays in the jets of supermassive black holes, particularly in the blazar BL Lacertae. November 2023 observations unveiled a striking polarization contrast—47.5% in optical emissions versus 7.6% in X-rays—validating that Compton Scattering drives this cosmic phenomenon.

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Story summary

NASA's IXPE has made a groundbreaking discovery: electrons, rather than protons, are the true architects of X-rays in the jets of supermassive black holes, particularly in the blazar BL Lacertae. November 2023 observations unveiled a striking polarization contrast—47.5% in optical emissions versus 7.6% in X-rays—validating that Compton Scattering drives this cosmic phenomenon.