Black holes reveal more secrets

Artist's conception of region near supermassive black hole where
twisted magnetic fields propel and shape jet of particles.

(BBC) -- Scientists say they have unlocked some of the secrets behind black holes, the gravitational fields known for sucking up light and stars from the Universe.

In a report in the journal Nature, US researchers say they have worked out how black holes emit jet streams of particles at close to light speed.

The University of Boston team say the streams originate in the magnetic field near the edge of the black hole.

They say it is within this region that the jets are accelerated and focused.

Despite the fact that it is probable that a black hole lurks at the centre of our Milky Way galaxy, astronomers still know very little about these celestial monsters which vacuum up almost everything in their path, even light. full story