Event Horizon Telescope spies jets erupting from nearby supermassive black hole

Deep-space image showing four orange blobs — different representations of an outburst from a supermassive black hole. .

Astronomers have observed a supermassive black hole in Earth's cosmic backyard as it blasts out jets of matter at near-light speeds. These outflows tell the tale of a battle for supremacy between magnetism and gravity.

The discovery could help scientists better understand how black holes feed on matter and eject powerful jets that extend far beyond their host galaxies.