Still working on an Chandra has a fun press release on some clashing galaxies, one active
At 1.4 billion light years, I have to say 3C321 is a nice galaxy, but I don't believe that the jet can transform planets' atmospheres in the target galaxy.
Planetary atmospheres have surprisingly high column densities and at 20,000+ light years even a full blown quasar jet has a hard time doing much. Hard to know for sure without knowing the actual mechanical luminousity of the jet, but unlikely.
Pretty though. The hi-res animations are worth a click
Physical Science
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I think this might be that "bully" galaxy my mom heard or saw a blurb on the TV about.
Posted by: Kenneth | December 18, 2007 1:51 PM
I must say that the neighboring galaxy looks to me like it is in the background. The jet appears to be passing in front of it. I see no evidence in this image for an interaction, nor a good justification for the press release and the hype.
Posted by: Dr. Skepto | December 18, 2007 2:22 PM
Well, it seems to be the rule that any astronomical discovery, no matter how interesting it is in its own right, immediately gets a gloop of either intergalactic violence or astrobiological portent tipped over it. Or both, as in this case.
It'll be interesting to see how the lack of sodium at Enceladus plays out: is it "Wow - not what we expected! How fascinating!" or "Gah! There goes $xBn of NASA money!"?
Posted by: Vagueofgodalming | December 18, 2007 2:58 PM
Sex and violence always sells...
I think the jet is plausibly impacting the smaller galaxy - the x-ray shock is presumably consistent with high column density ISM
I haven't done a proper calculation of the jet flux at the target, but scaling to known blazar jets I'd guess its brightness at about -6 in the target galaxy, which is noticeable but not exactly damaging. And interesting planetary atmospheres have column densities of 10^32 or something silly.
Now if you load the jet mechanically, or assume very narrow collimation and very flat SED to high enough energies, maybe you can do some upper atmosphere damage - ozone and nitrous oxides. Maybe.
It is in fact the "bully galaxy" - just hear the quote from Neil Tyson on Olbermann.
Don't believe at those distances you can sterilize planets or strip atmospheres.
Posted by: Steinn Sigurdsson | December 19, 2007 12:58 AM