Historic Measurement of Black Hole Jet Energy

According to a study published in April 2026, scientists have successfully measured the jet energy emitted from a black hole for the first time. This historic observation was made for the black hole system Cygnus X-1.

Key Highlights of the Discovery

• Black Hole Name: Cygnus X-1, widely considered the first discovered black hole.
• Energy Output: The plasma jets emitted from this black hole produce energy equivalent to 10,000 Suns.
• Jet Speed: The jets travel at nearly half the speed of light (approximately 540 million km/h or 335 million mph).
• Method (Dancing Jets): Scientists analyzed 18 years of radio imaging data. They observed that the black hole’s companion star (a blue supergiant) causes the jets to wobble or "dance," enabling precise measurement of their energy.
• Conclusion: About 10% of the energy from matter falling into the black hole is expelled outward through these jets.