A Cosmic Accident Leads to Groundbreaking Observations

In a stunning turn of events, astronomers have made an extraordinary discovery using a unique technique dubbed "double gravitational zoom." This serendipitous method allowed them to observe the crown of a supermassive black hole with unprecedented detail for the very first time.

Meet J1131 RX: The Cosmic Beast

The black hole at the center of this remarkable finding, known as J1131 RX, lies approximately 6 billion light-years away from Earth. This colossal entity spins at a jaw-dropping speed, exceeding half the speed of light!

The Power of a Quasar

While the black hole itself remains hidden from direct observation, it is voraciously consuming gas and surrounding matter. This material heats up to staggering temperatures, resulting in an immensely powerful quasar—a brilliant, jet-like beacon of energy far outshining the entire galaxy. Quasars are known as the ultra-bright cores of galaxies, fueled by supermassive black holes that transform swallowed matter into visible energy detectable across billions of light-years.

A Halo of Heat: The Crown Explained

The crown of J1131 RX, a halo of superheated gases encircling the black hole, spans an imposing 50 astronomical units (AU)—the equivalent of our entire solar system! For context, one astronomical unit measures about 150 million kilometers, showcasing just how massive this cosmic creation truly is.