Supermassive black hole in galaxy J1007+3540 reactivates after 100 million years

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:47:00 +0200

Astronomers have observed a supermassive black hole at the center of galaxy J1007+3540 suddenly reactivating after nearly 100 million years of dormancy. Using advanced radio telescopes, including LOFAR in the Netherlands and India's upgraded GMRT, researchers captured detailed images of powerful jets emanating from the black hole. These jets interact with the dense environment of the surrounding galaxy cluster, creating distorted structures spanning almost a million light-years. The observations reveal multiple cycles of black hole activity, with fresh jets nested inside older, fading plasma. The extreme pressure from the cluster compresses and bends these jets, highlighting how the environment shapes the galaxy's structure. A faint tail of emission shows magnetized plasma being dragged across the cluster, demonstrating long-term interaction with surrounding gas. Studies like this help scientists understand the episodic nature of black holes, how jets evolve, and how galaxies are influ