Curtin University-led team observes Cygnus X-1 black hole jet bending
Updated
Updated · dongascience.com · May 9
Curtin University-led team observes Cygnus X-1 black hole jet bending
6 articles · Updated · dongascience.com · May 9
Using radio telescopes thousands of kilometres apart, researchers imaged the binary system and found winds from a 40-solar-mass companion star deflecting the jet of a 21-solar-mass black hole.
The jet swayed as the pair orbited every 5.6 days; analysis put its speed at about 150,000 km a second and energy output at roughly 10,000 suns.
The study, published in Nature Astronomy, also found about 10% of infalling matter's energy is dispersed through the jet, providing an observational benchmark for future SKA studies of black hole jets.
This discovery sets a new benchmark for black holes. How will the powerful SKA telescope use this to study distant galaxies?
A black hole jet was seen 'dancing' for the first time. How does this finally prove a decades-old theory about its power?
Direct Observation of Jet Bending in Cygnus X-1 Reveals Black Hole Jets Carry 10% of Accretion Energy
Overview
In April 2026, scientists achieved the first direct observation of a black hole jet bending in the Cygnus X-1 system, marking a major breakthrough in astrophysics. This discovery was made possible by an international team led by Curtin University, who used a global network of radio telescopes to capture high-resolution images over 18 years. Their careful, long-term observations provided crucial evidence that these powerful jets are shaped by their environment, moving beyond previous theories. This work not only reveals new details about black holes but also improves our understanding of how they influence the universe.