Enhanced Nova Rate Near the Jet of M87

This video plots the location of Hubble Space Telescope observations of novae – exploding stars – in the giant elliptical galaxy M87. The galaxy’s most notable feature is a 3,000-light-year-long jet of plasma ejected from a supermassive central black hole. Hubble observations identified numerous novae in the jet’s vicinity. These are identified by red circles that turn white when a nova explodes. Stars seem to explode more frequently in the jet's vicinity. The jet may be pushing interstellar hydrogen toward neighboring stars, enhancing the stellar fueling process that increases the rate of explosions. When the entire galaxy is photometrically surveyed fewer novae appear farther away from the jet.