HUBBLE ATLAS
Galaxies with relativistic jets (3C 297 , 3C 356 , 3C 454.1) — image from the Hubble Space Telescope

Galaxies

Galaxies with relativistic jets

May 28, 2015 · ESA/Hubble · 3C 297 , 3C 356 , 3C 454.1

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This image taken with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope shows a selection of galaxies used in a survey to confirm the link between mergers and high-speed jets from supermassive black holes. These galaxies have very strong emissions at radio wavelengths, implying that the supermassive black holes they host are feeding huge outflows of plasma.

On the left (top to bottom) are the galaxies 3C 297 and 3C 454.1, on the right is 3C 356.