Death star 'could be wiping out alien life'

By Bonnie Malkin and agencies
Last Updated: 6:01am GMT 18/12/2007

A black hole blasting an immense jet of energy into a neighbouring galaxy has been observed by astronomers for the first time.

In a burst of galactic violence recorded by astronomers in the US space agency's ground and space-based observatories, the black hole of a "death star" is seen shooting the jet of radiation into the adjacent galaxy, NASA said.

The jet is so powerful that it wipes out any life in its path.

"We've seen many jets produced by black holes, but this is the first time we've seen one punch into another galaxy like we're seeing here," said Dan Evans, of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and leader of the study.

"This jet could be causing all sorts of problems for the smaller galaxy it is pummeling," said Mr Evans, who led the research team making the discovery.

The stream erupted in a galactic system called 3C321, which consists of two galaxies orbiting each other in relatively close proximity of just 20 thousand light years.

The black hole in the larger galaxy was viewed blasting out the jet of radiation and particles, especially high-energy X-rays and gamma-rays, as the smaller one moved right into the jet's path.

NASA said its system of observatories recorded the collision, with images showing a bright spot on the smaller galaxy's side where the jet strikes it.

The agency described the incident as "relatively short-lived" on the time scale of the cosmos.

"The jet began impacting the galaxy about one million years ago, a small fraction of the system's lifetime," it said in a statement.

It said the effect on the stricken galaxy would likely be substantial, but not necessarily negative.

"The massive influx of energy and radiation from the jet could induce the formation of large numbers of stars and planets after its initial wake of destruction is complete," NASA said.