ALMA and MUSE Detect Galactic Fountain
One billion light-years away there is a gargantuan galactic fountain.
A massive black hole at the heart of a distant galaxy has been detected pumping a vast spout of cold molecular gas into space.
The first of its kind to be detected, this galactic fountain is at the heart of the galaxy cluster Abell 2597.
Cold gas is pulled in towards the black hole, and fast-moving jets of incandescent plasma are fired into the void.
With no hope of escaping the galaxy's gravitational clutches, the material rains back down on the black hole...
...starting the cycle anew.
Transcribed by ESO; Translated by —