Unpredictable X-ray Emissions from Black Holes Challenge Particle Acceleration Theory

A recent study published in Nature Astronomy has challenged the prevailing theories about x-ray emissions from black hole jets. Contradicting long-standing theories, the study found that x-ray emissions from black hole jets vary over short periods and occur throughout the jets rather than solely at their origin. The research, based on data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory, necessitates a reassessment of how particle acceleration works in these jets and potentially the wider universe. The findings open the door to reimagining how particle acceleration works, and the paper spurs future work to come up with jet models that are consistent with what they found.