Fermi reveals previously unseen Milky Way structure. Image Credit/NASA
Astronomers using the Fermi Gamma-ray Telescope have discovered a pair of globe-like features at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy.
Though their origin is unknown, the two near identical globes that extend 25,000 light years north and south of the galactic center may be the remnants of powerful jets that once shot from a super massive black hole, or from a burst of star formation.
That’s the early belief from astronomers at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, who identified the features.
The feature is probably millions of years old.
The NASA-led Fermi mission was launched in June 2008 as part of an international effort to better understand gamma ray phenomena, the highest form of light energy. The 10-year mission carries a $690 million price tag.
“We don’t fully understand their nature of origin,” said Doug Finkbeiner, the lead astronomer for the discovery team.
Like most galaxies, the Milky Way harbors a super massive black hole at its center. However, unlike many of those black holes in other galaxies, the Milky Way’s is not currently spewing powerful jets of energy. The jets are generated by material falling into the black hole.