A groundbreaking new study led by Caltech Professor Anthony Readhead has shed light on the nature of Compact Symmetric Objects (CSOs), revealing that these mysterious objects have relatively short lives compared to previous beliefs.
Initially thought to be young galaxies with expanding jets, researchers have now discovered that CSOs actually expel jets for 5,000 years or less before they die out. This discovery overturns previous assumptions that CSOs have longer-lasting jet emissions.
The study, which analyzed over 3,000 CSO candidates to confirm 79 real CSOs, found that the short-lived jets are likely fueled by tidal disruption events (TDEs), where a massive star is devoured by a supermassive black hole. This unique interaction provides scientists with a new window into understanding how massive stars interact with black holes.
Published in three separate papers in The Astrophysical Journal, these findings have the potential to provide researchers with a new laboratory for studying the interactions between supermassive black holes and galaxies. By confirming the true nature of CSOs, scientists can further explore the complexities of these celestial objects and their impact on the wider universe.
This research marks a significant step forward in our understanding of CSOs and their role in the broader astronomical landscape. As scientists continue to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos, studies like this will undoubtedly play a crucial role in expanding our knowledge of the universe.
