Black holes, like the one in this illustration, can spray powerful jets. S. Dagnello (NRAO/AUI/NSF), CC BY-SADavid Garofalo, Kennesaw State University One of the most powerful objects in the universe is a radio quasar – a spinning black hole spraying out highly energetic particles. Come too close to one, and you’d get sucked in by its gravitational pull, or burn up from the intense heat surrounding it. But ironically, studying black holes and their jets can give researchers insight into where potentially habitable worlds might be in the universe. As an astrophysicist, I’ve spent two decades modeling how black holes spin, how that creates jets, and how they affect the environment of space around them.
What are black holes?
Black holes are massive, astrophysical objects that use gravity to pull surrounding objects into them. Active black holes have a pancake-shaped structure around them called an accretion disk, which contains hot, electrically charged gas. The plasma that makes up the accretion disk comes from farther out in the galaxy. When two galaxies collide and merge, gas is funneled into the central region of that merger. Some of that gas ends up getting close to the newly merged black hole and forms the accretion disk. There is one supermassive black holeat the heart of every massive galaxy. Black holes and their disks can rotate, and when they do, they drag space and time with them – a concept that’s mind-boggling and very hard to grasp conceptually. But black holes are important to study because they produce enormous amounts of energy that can influence galaxies. How energetic a black hole is depends on different factors, such as the mass of the black hole, whether it rotates rapidly, and whether lots of material falls onto it. Mergers fuel the most energetic black holes, but not all black holes are fed by gas from a merger. In spiral galaxies, for example, less gas tends to fall into the center, and the central black hole tends to have less energy. One of the ways they generate energy is through what scientists call “jets” of highly energetic particles. A black hole can pull in magnetic fields and energetic particles surrounding it, and then as the black hole rotates, the magnetic fields twist into a jet that sprays out highly energetic particles. Magnetic fields twist around the black hole as it rotates to store energy – kind of like when you pull and twist a rubber band. When you release the rubber band, it snaps forward. Similarly, the magnetic fields release their energy by producing these jets.The accretion disk around a black hole can form a jet of hot, energetic particles surrounded by magnetic field lines.NASA, ESA, and A. Feild (STScI), CC BY These jets can speed up or suppress the formation of stars in a galaxy, depending on how the energy is released into the black hole’s host galaxy.
Rotating black holes
Some black holes, however, rotate in a different direction than the accretion disk around them. This phenomenon is called counterrotation, and some studies my colleagues and I have conducted suggest that it’s a key feature governing the behavior of one of the most powerful kinds of objects in the universe: the radio quasar. Radio quasars are the subclass of black holes that produce the most powerful energy and jets. You can imagine the black hole as a rotating sphere, and the accretion disk as a disk with a hole in the center. The black hole sits in that center hole and rotates one way, while the accretion disk rotates the other way. This counterrotation forces the black hole to spin down and eventually up again in the other direction, called corotation. Imagine a basketball that spins one way, but you keep tapping it to rotate in the other. The tapping will spin the basketball down. If you continue to tap in the opposite direction, it will eventually spin up and rotate in the other direction. The accretion disk does the same thing. Since the jets tap into the black hole’s rotational energy, they are powerful only when the black hole is spinning rapidly. The change from counterrotation to corotation takes at least 100 million years. Many initially counterrotating black holes take billions of years to become rapidly spinning corotating black holes. So, these black holes would produce powerful jets both early and later in their lifetimes, with an interlude in the middle where the jets are either weak or nonexistent. When the black hole spins in counterrotation with respect to its accretion disk, that motion produces strong jets that push molecules in the surrounding gas close together, which leads to the formation of stars. But later, in corotation, the jet tilts. This tilt makes it so that the jet impinges directly on the gas, heating it up and inhibiting star formation. In addition to that, the jet also sprays X-rays across the galaxy. Cosmic X-rays are bad for life because they can harm organic tissue. For life to thrive, it most likely needs a planet with a habitable ecosystem, and clouds of hot gas saturated with X-rays don’t contain such planets. So, astronomers can instead look for galaxies without a tilted jet coming from its black hole. This idea is key to understanding where intelligence could potentially have emerged and matured in the universe.
Black holes as a guide
By early 2022, I had built a black hole model to use as a guide. It could point out environments with the right kind of black holes to produce the greatest number of planets without spraying them with X-rays. Life in such environments could emerge to its full potential.Looking at black holes and their role in star formation could help scientists predict when and where life was most likely to form. Where are such conditions present? The answer is low-density environments where galaxies had merged about 11 billion years ago. These environments had black holes whose powerful jets enhanced the rate of star formation, but they never experienced a bout of tilted jets in corotation. In short, my model suggested that theoretically, the most advanced extraterrestrial civilization would have likely emerged on the cosmic scene far away and billions of years ago. David Garofalo, Professor of Physics, Kennesaw State University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Avi Loeb on 3I/ATLAS: Is This Interstellar Visitor Just a Comet—or Something More?
In July 2025, astronomers detected 3I/ATLAS, the third confirmed interstellar object. While viewed as a comet, Dr. Avi Loeb suggests exploring alternative hypotheses due to its unusual characteristics, igniting debate on how scientists address extraordinary claims within their research.
Last Updated on November 5, 2025 by Daily News StaffAI created image
In July 2025, astronomers using the ATLAS survey in Chile spotted something extraordinary: an object racing through our Solar System on a hyperbolic path—meaning it isn’t bound to the Sun. Officially named 3I/ATLAS, it’s only the third confirmed interstellar visitor ever detected, after 1I/ʻOumuamua (2017) and 2I/Borisov (2019).
While most scientists view 3I/ATLAS as a particularly strange comet, one prominent astrophysicist—Dr. Avi Loeb of Harvard University—has suggested that we shouldn’t rule out other possibilities too quickly.
Avi Loeb on 3I/ATLAS: Is This Mysterious Interstellar Comet Something More?
🔭 What Makes 3I/ATLAS So Unusual
Early data from NASA, ESA, and observatories worldwide show 3I/ATLAS behaving in ways that defy expectations:
Its coma (the cloud around the nucleus) is unusually rich in carbon dioxide, with a CO₂-to-H₂O ratio of roughly 8 to 1—far higher than typical comets.
A “forward glow” has been detected ahead of its motion toward the Sun, rather than a trailing tail pointing away.
Its trajectory aligns almost perfectly with the plane of the planets, a coincidence Loeb calls statistically rare (about 1 in 500 by his estimate).
These traits have made 3I/ATLAS a scientific curiosity—and for Loeb, a test case for how open-minded science should be.
🧠 Loeb’s Argument: Keep Every Door Open
In a series of essays on Medium and papers on arXiv, Loeb argues that science advances by questioning assumptions, even when those questions sound uncomfortable.
“Would it be better if 3I/ATLAS happens to be a spacecraft?” he asks half-jokingly in one post.
“We must be open to the possibility that new data on interstellar objects does not reflect the same science as past data on Solar System comets.”
Loeb doesn’t claim that 3I/ATLAS is alien technology—but he believes scientists should entertain all plausible hypotheses until the data clearly point one way.
In another article, he even scored the comet a “4 out of 10” on what he calls the “Loeb Scale” of possible technological origin—a tongue-in-cheek ranking that signals “worth watching, not worth panicking.”
🧩 The Scientific Response
Most astronomers strongly disagree with Loeb’s speculative framing. Observations from the James Webb Space Telescope and ground-based instruments reveal chemical and physical signatures consistent with a natural comet. According to Phys.org, the carbon-dioxide-dominant coma and early outgassing could simply mean 3I/ATLAS formed in a colder, more distant region of another star system.
NASA and ESA scientists emphasize that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and so far nothing about 3I/ATLAS violates known physics.
Still, Loeb maintains that “asking bold questions costs nothing.” His critics may roll their eyes, but they also admit that ʻOumuamua—the first interstellar object—surprised everyone too.
🚀 Why This Debate Matters
3I/ATLAS will swing closest to the Sun in late October 2025 before heading back into interstellar space forever. Whether it’s a dusty snowball or a cosmic enigma, it offers a rare chance to study material from beyond our Solar System.
Loeb’s writings—controversial or not—highlight an important truth about science: discovery begins when we admit we don’t yet know.
As he wrote in The Duck Test of 3I/ATLAS:
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“If it looks like a comet and behaves like a comet, then fine—it’s a comet.
But if not, we should be brave enough to ask why.”
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🌠 How to See a Comet Tonight Over Phoenix — Your Binocular Guide to the October Sky
Comet Night: Tonight in Phoenix, skywatchers can observe two comets, C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) and C/2025 R2 (SWAN). Both are visible through binoculars, with Lemmon potentially seen unaided under dark skies around 7:00 PM.
Phoenix skywatchers are in for a treat tonight as not one, but two comets — C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) and C/2025 R2 (SWAN) — make their way across the evening sky. Both are now bright enough to be seen through a good pair of binoculars, and one may even flirt with naked-eye visibility under dark conditions.
If you’ve ever wanted to catch a comet without fancy equipment, tonight’s your chance.
🌌 What You’ll See
Comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6) has been gaining brightness through October and now glows with a faint greenish hue, a sign of vaporized gases and carbon compounds in its tail. Under Phoenix’s clear skies, you may spot it as a fuzzy, glowing patch — brighter than most surrounding stars when viewed through binoculars.
The second visitor, Comet SWAN (C/2025 R2), is also within binocular range, adding to this rare double-comet spectacle. Though smaller and dimmer than Lemmon, it’s still worth the hunt.
🕗 When and Where to Look
Best viewing time: About 30–60 minutes after sunset (roughly between 7:00 and 7:30 PM in Phoenix).
Comet Lemmon: Look toward the northwest to west horizon, about midway between the bright star Arcturus and the handle of the Big Dipper.
Comet SWAN: Scan the southwest sky, just above where the Sun has recently set.
Both comets will be low on the horizon, so find an open spot with no buildings or trees blocking your view.
🔭 Tips for Best Viewing
Use binoculars (7×50 or 10×50 are ideal).
Step away from bright city lights — South Mountain, Papago Park, or the outskirts of Phoenix offer better visibility.
Allow your eyes 10–15 minutes to adjust to darkness.
Bring a stargazing app (like Sky Tonight or Star Walk 2) and search the comet names to track them in real-time.
If you have a tripod, use it — even slight hand movements can blur the view.
🌙 What to Expect
Comets aren’t as bright or defined as the ones we see in movies. Through binoculars, expect a small, glowing orb with a hint of a tail — especially for Lemmon. As the comet continues to approach the Sun in late October, it may brighten even further.
For many observers, simply knowing you’re seeing an object that’s traveled millions of miles through space makes the experience unforgettable.
⚠️ A Few Things to Note
Visibility can change night to night depending on brightness, weather, and moonlight.
If clouds or haze roll in, try again over the next few evenings — both comets will remain visible for several more nights.
Don’t be discouraged if you don’t spot it immediately — comet hunting takes patience, but the reward is worth it.
📸 Share the Moment
If you manage to snap a photo of Comet Lemmon or SWAN from Phoenix, tag @stmdailynews on social media and use #STMSkyWatch — we might feature your photo in an upcoming article.
For more astronomy updates, local skywatching events, and science news, visit STM DailyNews Astronomy.
🌠 Draconid Meteor Shower 2025: The Last Outburst Until 2078!
The Draconid Meteor Shower 2025 peaks on October 8 — possibly the last major outburst until 2078. Learn how, when, and where to watch this rare celestial event.
This October, skywatchers are in for a rare celestial show — one that won’t happen again for more than 50 years. The Draconid Meteor Shower is expected to put on a spectacular display on the evening of October 8, 2025, marking what astronomers predict could be the last major Draconid outburst until 2078.
🌠 The Draconid Meteor Shower 2025 peaks October 8 — and it could be the last major outburst until 2078! 💫 Look up after sunset to see Draco the Dragon breathe his final fire across the night sky. 🔥🐉 DraconidMeteorShower MeteorShower2025 SpaceNews Astronomy Skywatching MeteorStorm DracoTheDragon STMDailyNews Stargazing Comet21P SpaceEvent2025 🔗 Read the full story at stmdailynews.com ♬ original sound – STMDailyNews – STMDailyNews
🐉 What Are the Draconids?
The Draconids, sometimes called the Giacobinids, are born from dust and debris left behind by Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner. As Earth passes through the comet’s trail each October, the tiny fragments enter our atmosphere and burn up — creating bright streaks across the night sky.
Unlike most meteor showers that peak after midnight, the Draconids are best viewed right after sunset, when the constellation Draco the Dragon lies high in the northern sky.
“The Draconids are a bit of an oddball among meteor showers,” notes astronomer Peter Jenniskens. “They can go from almost nothing one year to a full-on meteor storm the next.”
🌌 When and Where to Watch
Peak Date: October 8, 2025
Peak Time: Around 7:00 PM UTC (early evening in North America and Europe)
Active Period: October 6–10
Best Viewing: Just after nightfall, facing northwest
This year’s shower comes with a catch — a bright full moon will be illuminating the sky, potentially washing out fainter meteors. Still, the brighter fireballs should be visible to the naked eye, especially from rural areas away from city lights.
💥 Why 2025 Is Special
Astronomers predict that in 2025, Earth will pass through dense trails of comet debris ejected during 21P/Giacobini-Zinner’s 2005 and 2012 orbits.
Models suggest a possible meteor outburst — perhaps as many as 150 to 400 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. Most of these will likely be faint, but a few bright “dragon fireballs” could stand out even in moonlight.
This will likely be the last significant Draconid outburst until 2078, as gravitational interactions — particularly with Jupiter — will soon pull the comet’s debris field away from Earth’s orbital path.
“The next time Earth crosses this kind of rich dust trail from Comet 21P will be decades away,” said meteor researcher Esko Lyytinen. “This is one of the last chances this century to see a strong Draconid display.”
🔭 Viewing Tips
Go dark: Find a spot away from city lights.
Look north: Aim your gaze near the constellation Draco, though meteors can appear anywhere.
Be patient: Let your eyes adjust to the darkness for at least 20 minutes.
Bring comfort: A reclining chair, blanket, and a warm drink go a long way.
Watch early: Unlike other showers, Draconids are best seen right after dusk.
🌠 A Dragon’s Last Roar
The Draconids have a history of surprises — outbursts in 1933 and 1946 produced thousands of meteors per hour, while other years offered only a few. Whether 2025 brings a brief flare or a full-blown celestial storm, it’s a chance to witness a piece of cosmic history.
So mark your calendars for October 8, step outside after sunset, and watch as Draco breathes his last fiery breath — at least, until 2078.
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