Story perspectives

New EHT Images Reveal Turbulence Around Supermassive Black Hole

9/16/2025

Summary

Story summary

The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) released new images of the supermassive black hole M87*, showing dynamic polarization patterns in its magnetic fields from 2017 to 2021.
Observations reveal a reversal in polarization, indicating turbulence around the black hole.
Enhanced sensitivity from new telescopes detected jet emissions near M87*'s base.
Future observations aim to create a "movie" of M87*, improving insights into black hole dynamics.
The research involves over 400 scientists and will be published in Astronomy & Astrophysics.

History

Historical Context

Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, proposed in 1916, predicted black holes, revolutionizing astrophysics. The Event Horizon Telescope, involving over 400 scientists, captured the first image of a black hole in April 2019, enhancing our understanding of black hole dynamics. This ongoing research builds on Einstein's legacy, promising to reshape our comprehension of the universe's structure and behavior.

1 of 2

Story summary

The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) released new images of the supermassive black hole M87*, showing dynamic polarization patterns in its magnetic fields from 2017 to 2021.
Observations reveal a reversal in polarization, indicating turbulence around the black hole.
Enhanced sensitivity from new telescopes detected jet emissions near M87*'s base.
Future observations aim to create a "movie" of M87*, improving insights into black hole dynamics.
The research involves over 400 scientists and will be published in Astronomy & Astrophysics.

1 / 2