Scientists track black hole jet in action at nearly half the speed of light

Astronomers directly measured the power of a black hole jet in Cygnus X-1 using 18 years of radio observations and simulations.

They found the jet was bent by the companion star’s wind, letting them estimate its speed and instantaneous energy output.

The jet is releasing energy equivalent to about 10,000 suns and is moving at nearly half the speed of light.

This rare direct measurement helps explain how black holes feed energy back into their surroundings and shape galaxy evolution.