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NASA’s IXPE Reveals X-ray-Generating Particles in Black Hole Jets
- NASA's IXPE, in collaboration with other telescopes, has uncovered how X-rays are generated in a blazar, attributing the emission to interactions between fast-moving electrons and photons.
- The study, soon to be published in Astrophysical Journal Letters, revealed that electron-photons interactions lead to X-ray production within the extreme environment of a black hole.
- IXPE's ability to measure polarization played a key role in determining that electrons, not protons, are responsible for generating X-rays in black hole jets.
- Compton Scattering, a process where electrons interact with photons, was identified as the mechanism behind X-ray emission in the blazar BL Lacertae.
- The observation of BL Lac by IXPE and ground-based telescopes provided valuable insights, with optical polarization reaching a record high of 47.5%.
- The team found that X-rays from BL Lac were less polarized than optical light, confirming electron-photons interactions as the X-ray source.
- This discovery by IXPE has shed light on a longstanding mystery surrounding supermassive black hole jets and emphasized the significance of Compton scattering in X-ray generation.
- IXPE's success in solving this mystery has been lauded by scientists involved in the project, marking a significant contribution to astrophysical research.
- Future research on blazars aims to identify more of these objects and unravel their dynamic nature, which often presents surprises.
- NASA's IXPE mission, a joint effort with the Italian Space Agency, continues to provide groundbreaking data on celestial objects and phenomena.
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