News Astronomy

The black hole–powered jet in galaxy M87 is making stars explode

The surprising discovery is puzzling astronomers

Illustration of a powerful jet of purple gas emanating from the black hole in the center of galaxy M87.

The black hole at the center of galaxy M87 (illustrated) fuels a powerful jet of gas that is triggering the explosions of stars in the galaxy, a study finds.

© Sophia Dagnello, NRAO/AUI/NSF

By Ken Croswell

High-speed gas shooting from the galaxy M87 is causing stars to go nova, a study suggests, and no one knows how.

A nova occurs after a dense star known as a white