Black Hole Jets Pack Power of 10,000 Suns, Stunning New Study Reveals

Using a global radio telescope array, researchers observed Cygnus X-1 and measured the speed and power of its black hole jets in real time for the first time.

The jets, bent by winds from the supergiant companion star, were found to move at about half the speed of light and carry energy equal to roughly 10,000 Suns.

This provides a direct benchmark for how black holes inject energy into their surroundings.

The finding should improve models of black hole feedback and its role in galaxy and cosmic structure evolution.