IIA study: black-hole radiation and radio jets together drive gas outflows that can suppress star formation
A study led by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics found that radiation from supermassive black holes and their radio jets work together to push gas out of galaxy centres, which can suppress new star formation (PIB, 21 October 2025).
Summary
A study led by astronomers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, found that both intense radiation from around supermassive black holes and the high-speed jets they emit can eject gas from galaxy centres, which can suppress the birth of new stars, PIB reported on 21 October 2025. Using archival data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (optical) and the Very Large Array (radio), both in the US, the team studied over 500 nearby galaxies with active galactic nuclei. Radiation is the main driver, but outflows were more than twice as likely in radio-detected galaxies (56%) as in those without radio emission (25%), and can reach 2,000 km per second. PhD student Payel Nandi was lead author.
Key facts
- Institute
- Indian Institute of Astrophysics (DST)
- Sample
- 500+ nearby galaxies with active galactic nuclei
- Data
- SDSS (optical) and VLA (radio)
- Outflow likelihood
- 56% radio-detected vs 25% without radio
- Outflow speed
- Up to 2,000 km/s
- Lead author
- Payel Nandi
Practice MCQs 2 questions
The October 2025 study showing that black-hole radiation and radio jets jointly drive galactic gas outflows was led by astronomers of which institute?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Indian Institute of Astrophysics
PIB: the study was led by astronomers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), an autonomous institute of DST.
According to the IIA study (October 2025), galactic gas outflows driven by active galactic nuclei can reach speeds of up to:
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 2,000 km/s
PIB: these powerful winds can travel at speeds of up to 2,000 km per second, fast enough to escape the galaxy's gravitational pull.