NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory has revealed fresh insights into how supermassive black holes influence the largest structures in the universe by using a new image-processing method called "X-arithmetic".

This technique allows astronomers to distinguish different physical features in the hot gas of galaxy clusters by comparing variations in X-ray energies, offering a clearer picture of the processes that shape these cosmic giants.

Galaxy clusters are among the most massive gravitationally bound objects in the universe, consisting of thousands of galaxies, vast clouds of superheated gas, and dark matter.

Many of these clusters host supermassive black holes at their centres, which periodically unleash powerful outbursts.

These eruptions generate energetic jets and bubbles that transfer energy into the surrounding gas, forming complex structures like rings, arcs, and bubbles visible in the new X-ray images.

With X-arithmetic, scientists can classify features such as jet-blown bubbles, cooling or slow-moving gas, and shock fronts more precisely, enabling a deeper understanding of the interplay between black hole activity and cluster evolution. 

Source:Ndtv