relativistic jets

Relativistic jets are powerful streams of particles emitted at nearly the speed of light from the centers of some galaxies, particularly active galactic nuclei and quasars. They originate from regions around supermassive black holes, where intense magnetic fields and gravitational forces funnel material outward. These jets can extend thousands of light-years into space, releasing enormous energy and affecting their surroundings. Because they travel so fast, close to the speed of light, their behavior is influenced by Einstein’s theory of relativity, which impacts how their motion and brightness are observed from Earth.