What Secrets Does the Milky Way's Core Jet Reveal About Galactic Dynamics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the dynamics of the Milky Way's core jet and its implications for understanding galactic behavior. Participants explore the nature of the jet outflows, their potential origins, and the interpretation of observational data related to these phenomena.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the Milky Way's core drives a wind at high speeds, suggesting a large vertical jet outflow from the galactic plane.
  • Others argue that the observed flows may represent a bubble created by the relativistic jet from the supermassive black hole, rather than a traditional jet structure.
  • A participant challenges the interpretation of the diagram, suggesting that the motion described resembles an expanding spherical bubble rather than distinct jets, contrasting with jets observed in other galaxies.
  • There is a discussion about the nature of line broadening in the context of the jets, with some noting that the distribution of material appears to have distinct groups rather than a smooth transition.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the interpretation of the jet outflows and their characteristics. There is no consensus on whether the observed phenomena represent traditional jets or expanding bubbles.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on observational data interpretations and the potential ambiguity in the definitions of jet structures versus bubble formations.

TEFLing
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Milky Way core drives wind at 2 million miles per hour -- ScienceDaily
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150105182525.htmThe article graphic shows three distinct flows of material...

One moving towards earth
One moving away from earth
And
One with no net motion along the line of sight to earth

Does that mean, that there is a large and columnar vertical jet outflow, up and away from the galactic plane...

Surrounded by a void, evacuated of matter...

Which is behind a shock front, expanding away from the jet?
 
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TEFLing said:
Does that mean, that there is a large and columnar vertical jet outflow, up and away from the galactic plane...
Yes, it's measuring the Relativistic jet produced by the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy.

EDIT: The article suggests
two possible origins for the bipolar lobes: a firestorm of star birth at the Milky Way's center or the eruption of its supermassive black hole.
It's more accurate to say that it might be measuring a bubble created by the Relativistic jet. However, I will defer to Dave or another Science Advisor for better wording or corrections.
 
Last edited:
TEFLing said:
Does that mean, that there is a large and columnar vertical jet outflow, up and away from the galactic plane...

That's not what the diagram is telling youimagine a balloon being held at arms length from you and being inflated
the region facing you is moving towards you and that motion tails off as you look around to the sides
the sides have a relative motion that is perpendicular to the line of sight from earth
and finally the far side of the balloon (from you) is moving away from youI see no indication of the presence of "jets" as seen from some other galaxies eg. M87 or Centaurus A

EDIT---- as I stated and you linked to Borg

just expanding spherical bubbles of material

Dave
 
Your description aptly explains Line Broadening.

But, in that case, the curve is smooth and continuous, looking like a Gaussian distribution function. There are no breaks in the distribution.

In this case, for the Milky Way jets, there are three distinct groups of material, with no smooth transition between them.
 

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