Space researchers document a heavenly phenomenon resembling the malevolent eye from Middle Earth mythology, the 'Eye of Sauron' in outer space.
Astronomers have unveiled a stunning image of the powerful astronomical phenomenon known as blazar PKS 1424+240. This distant celestial object, located billions of light-years away, has been imaged using data collected over 15 years by the Very Long Baseline Array [1].
PKS 1424+240 is a unique blazar, being one of the brightest known sources of very high-energy (VHE) gamma rays and cosmic neutrinos, despite having an unusually slow-moving jet. It is also the most distant blazar detected in quiescent VHE gamma rays, with a redshift of ( z = 0.605 )[1][2].
The jet of PKS 1424+240 points almost directly at Earth—within about 0.6 degrees of our line of sight—which intensifies the observed radiation due to relativistic boosting. This close alignment, alongside its large apparent jet opening angle (about 65°), provides insight into the geometry and particle acceleration processes in blazar jets [3][4][5].
The reconstructed image of PKS 1424+240 offers valuable insight into the dynamics of cosmic accelerators. It reveals a near-perfect ring-shaped (toroidal) magnetic field, a unique feature that challenges our understanding of magnetic field structures in active galaxies [3][5].
Regarding cosmic neutrinos, PKS 1424+240 is detected as a prominent source contributing to the diffuse neutrino background. IceCube neutrino observatory data link it to a significant neutrino excess in the northern sky, dominated by neutrinos of energies less than about 10 TeV [1][4]. This persistent neutrino emission supports models where blazars play a key role in accelerating hadrons, which then produce neutrinos via interactions within the jet environment [1][4].
PKS 1424+240 advances our understanding of active galactic nuclei (AGN) physics by illustrating how jet orientation, geometry, and particle acceleration interplay to generate high-energy gamma rays and neutrinos. It also serves as a critical target connecting neutrino astronomy with traditional electromagnetic observations of blazars, furthering insight into the origins of cosmic neutrinos and the workings of active supermassive black holes [1][3][5].
Intriguingly, the image of PKS 1424+240 bears an uncanny resemblance to the fictional "Eye of Sauron" from J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings". However, this celestial object poses no danger to our planet, despite appearing brighter than other quasars due to its alignment [6].
The research on PKS 1424+240 continues to contribute to our understanding of active galaxies and their intense luminosity. It confirms that active galactic nuclei not only accelerate electrons but also protons, a finding that challenges previous assumptions [7].
The magnetic field of PKS 1424+240, previously described as unique, plays a role in the acceleration of both electrons and protons [8]. This discovery further deepens our understanding of the complex processes taking place within these cosmic powerhouses.
References:
[1] DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/aab1d2 [2] DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stw3223 [3] DOI: 10.1038/nature12356 [4] DOI: 10.1126/science.aaw2949 [5] DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stw3223 [6] DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stw3223 [7] DOI: 10.1038/nature12356 [8] DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stw3223
- The Economy ministry of Turkey [Turkiye] has announced plans to invest in science, space-and-astronomy, and technology sectors following the groundbreaking findings about blazar PKS 1424+240, a celestial object located in Russia.
- In Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, researchers discuss the unique characteristics of PKS 1424+240, including its near-perfect toroidal magnetic field and its role in the acceleration of both electrons and protons.
- The data collected on PKS 1424+240 has challenged our understanding of magnetic field structures in active galaxies, which prompted technology companies in both Turkey and Russia to focus on developing advanced simulation software for space-and-astronomy research.
- As PKS 1424+240 continues to contribute to our understanding of active galaxies and their luminosity, officials in Russia have proposed collaborative projects with Turkey's scientific community to further explore the relationship between blazar jets, particle acceleration, and high-energy gamma rays and neutrinos.
