After discovering that the supermassive black hole in the center of the galaxy PBC J2333.9-2343 has changed direction and is now aimed towards Earth, a team of international astronomers has reclassified the galaxy. Dr Lorena Hernandez-Garcia explained that they began studying the galaxy due to its peculiar properties and hypothesized that the relativistic jet of its black hole had shifted direction. To confirm their idea, they had to conduct numerous observations.
The astronomers detailed the change in a study and found that the galaxy was initially classified as a radio galaxy. However, they realized that the space phenomena had rotated 90 degrees, and now its center is pointing towards Earth. As a result, the galaxy is now classified as a “blazar,” which is a galaxy with jet points aimed at Earth. According to the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), blazars are among the most powerful phenomena in the universe and are considered to be very high-energy objects.
When observed with radio waves, the most immediately noticeable feature of the galaxy PBC J2333.9-2343 is the two enormous lobes created on either side by material ejected from the black hole, according to astronomers. Dr. Hernandez-Garcia explained that since the nucleus is no longer feeding the lobes, they must be very old and are remnants of past activity, while the structures nearer to the nucleus are younger and active jets.
In the study, scientists noted that they are uncertain what triggered the change in direction of the supermassive black hole. Some astronomers speculate that PBC J2333.9-2343 collided with another galaxy, resulting in the shift. The impact of the black hole’s direction on our galaxy is also unclear.
