Treble Clef radio waves likely from black hole outburst and cluster collision

A published study reports that the Treble Clef's radio-wave formation was likely caused by a black hole outburst and a cluster collision. The feature is hosted by a galaxy cluster behind the plane of the Milky Way.

The Treble Clef is a radio-wave formation whose distinct shape resembles a musical symbol. The report attributes this appearance to pareidolia and places the feature behind the plane of the Milky Way.

It is hosted by a galaxy cluster, and the cluster environment involves two clusters merging. The hot gas is listed as having a symmetrical oval shape, while another result says it deviates from a symmetrical shape.

Chandra and eROSITA detected multimillion-degree gas. LOFAR revealed the radio-wave formation, and the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope obtained infrared data.

A supermassive black hole drove clouds near the speed of light, and charged particles were driven from it. The radio waves were initially bright, then faded and lost energy before being reenergized; shock waves may have played a role in reenergizing.

In a residual image, the brightest areas are on the left and right, while the center is faintest. A new composite image combines original and residual X-ray images, and the Chandra data are derived from a special technique.

The paper was published in Astronomy & Astrophysics. Andrea Botteon is associated with the National Institute for Astrophysics.

For readers tracking the lunar industry, the report shows NASA's Chandra X-Ray Observatory being used to find a possible origin of the Treble Clef. It also lists Marshall Space Flight Center as manager of the Chandra program and places science operations from Cambridge, Massachusetts.