Researchers have discovered compelling evidence that black holes, regardless of their massive scale differences, operate under a shared universal principle when generating powerful astrophysical jets. The findings suggest a common mechanism links the behavior of supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies to stellar-mass black holes within our own Milky Way.
According to the study, supermassive black holes can produce these energetic outflows shortly after dismantling a passing star. Remarkably, the jets reignite hundreds or even thousands of days later, once the rate at which the black hole consumes matter drops to approximately 2% of the Eddington limit—a theoretical maximum for luminosity.
This specific threshold is already well-documented in smaller black holes within the Milky Way, where jet activity is triggered under similar low-accretion conditions. The new data indicates that this critical tipping point applies across the board, implying that the physics governing jet production is independent of the black hole’s size.
Really? 2% Eddington limit applies perfectly across billions of lightyears? Need to see more data before I buy it.
Mind blown! Same rule for tiny and gigantic black holes? Nature loves symmetry.