Gadgets: NASA Solves Black Hole Jet X-ray Mystery with IXPE’s Polarization Powers

[dave]

NASA Solves Black Hole Jet X-ray Mystery with IXPE's Polarization Powers

NASA's IXPE satellite may have solved a longstanding astrophysical mystery: how are X-rays produced in the extreme jets of supermassive black holes? By observing the blazar BL Lacertae, IXPE recorded low X-ray polarization versus very high optical polarization—confirming Compton scattering as the likely mechanism. This breakthrough supports the electron-photon int...

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