Astronomers in Awe of Terrifying "Eye of Sauron" That's Pointed Straight at Earth
Thankfully, the object, unimaginatively dubbed "PKS 1424+240," is located roughly 7.4 billion light-years away and likely won't pose much of a danger.
But that hasn't stopped a group of excited astronomers from renaming it: the "Eye of Sauron," the symbol adopted by the Dark Lord in JRR Tolkien's epic "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
A new image of the object was recently unveiled, revealing a bright, hot center with cosmic waves spinning around it, spewing a jet of plasma straight at Earth — as if one was staring right into the Eye of Sauron.
The scientists published the image in a new paper in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, detailing how they unraveled a mystery at the center of PKS 1424+240, which appears bright from matter falling into the ravenous maw of the black hole.
PKS 1424+240 is specifically a blazar, a type of galactic nucleus that shoots jets of plasma from its center at almost the speed of light straight towards Earth. Quasars are essentially the same thing, but are not oriented towards our home planet.
What's curious about PKS 1424+240, or the Eye of Sauron, is that it emits copious amounts of gamma rays and neutrinos and is considered the brightest neutrino-producing blazar in the universe, at least as far as we know.
But PKS 1424+240 also has cosmic jets that move "sluggishly," according to a statement from the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, where part of the research was conducted. This goes against a commonly held assertion that only fast-moving jets can produce bright objects.
After poring over years of observation from radio telescopes and studying the image, astronomers concluded that they are looking at a kind of "optical illusion."
Having the cosmic jets pointing directly at Earth increases the brightness of the blazar, while they also appear slower than they actually are.
"This alignment causes a boost in brightness by a factor of 30 or more," said Jack Livingston, study co-author and researcher at Max Planck in a statement. 'At the same time, the jet appears to move slowly due to projection effects — a classic optical illusion."
What's also neat is that the astronomers were able to recreate what the blazar jet's magnetic field may look like — a spiral, or a toroidal doughnut.
Besides plumbing the mysteries of the blazar, the study could help astronomers better understand the relationship between the shape of these cosmic jets and their magnetic fields, further shedding light on the nature of supermassive black holes.
More on black holes: Scientists Discover What Appears to Be the Largest Black Hole in the Universe, So Heavy That It Completely Bends the Light Around It Into a Giant Ring
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
How 9 minutes of daily HIIT may improve kids' brain function and learning, according to research
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Kids' attention spans aren't exactly getting any longer. Some can't even make it to the end of a 10-second TikTok without swiping away. To be honest, I'm also guilty of this sometimes. But if you can hold their focus for nine whole minutes of exercise, scientists think they've found a little hack that could help children concentrate better in class. Researchers from the University of Eastern Finland studied how short bursts of physical activity could influence a child's ability to focus. They asked seven- to 13-year-olds to complete a simple nine-minute workout before sitting down to cognitive tests. The results? Kids who exercised performed better on tasks that required sustained attention and working memory compared to those who stayed seated. If you are a parent looking to move more and encourage your children to do the same, our guide to the best fitness trackers can help you keep track of your activity levels and stay motivated. What kind of exercise did the study use? The study found that nine minutes of high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) can help children focus better and improve performance on cognitive tasks. For reference, this activity took place in a school setting before tests. The researchers suggest the boost in focus may come from the temporary increase in heart rate and blood flow, which delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the brain, along with the release of neurotransmitters that support alertness and cognitive function. If you are a parent and want to try using this at home to help your child focus, settle down after school, or tackle homework more easily, the principle is pretty flexible. You don't need a full PE class. Just nine minutes of fun, energetic high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) that gets your child's heart rate up could make a difference. This could be a quick dance to a favorite song or two, a short obstacle course in the living room, or a few laps around the yard. It's important to note that this research does not provide a guaranteed solution for improving focus in all children, and every child's needs and circumstances are different. The study shows a potential benefit in a classroom setting, but individual results may vary. Still, making exercise a fun and regular part of family life can support both the body and mind. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. More from Tom's Guide Here are 7 ways I get the most out of my Garmin watch when training for a race I do this quick chair exercise every day to beat back pain and strengthen my core while I work Forget running — I added power walking intervals to my walks and now I'm hooked Solve the daily Crossword
Associated Press
3 hours ago
- Associated Press
Genflow Biosciences PLC Announces Company Update on Dog Trials
Genflow Advances World's First Longevity Gene Therapy Trial in Dogs with No Adverse Effects Reported LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / August 18, 2025 / Genflow Biosciences Plc (LSE:GENF)(OTCQB:GENFF) ('Genflow' or 'the Company'), the only publicly listed longevity company in Europe, provides an update on its Dog Aging (GF-1004) study, a proof-of-concept clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of its proprietary SIRT6-centenarian gene therapy for age-related decline in elderly dogs. The randomized, controlled trial, conducted with CRO Syngene, involves 28 beagles aged 10+ years. In March, recipients received three different modalities of SIRT6 gene therapy with no ill or adverse effects, while controls remain untreated. The dogs will now enter a five-month follow-up period expected to conclude in January 2026. The strategic goal of this proof-of-concept trial is to generate compelling preclinical data that will enable a licensing agreement with a leading Animal Health company. GF-1004 is a first-in-class gene therapy candidate targeting fundamental aging mechanisms shared by both dogs and humans. By intervening at the mitochondrial and epigenetic levels, GF-1004 offers the potential to not only extend lifespan, but also improve the quality of life in companion animals, a rapidly growing, high-value market segment. Study objectives are to: 1. Confirm feasibility of GF-1004 administration in the target population. 2. Validate safety and efficacy at the proposed administered dose. 3. Demonstrate multi-dimensional benefits relevant to both clinical outcomes and consumer appeal, including: Translational Potential Since dogs and humans share conserved aging pathways, success in this trial will provide a strong foundation for expansion into human health applications, unlocking additional markets in longevity therapeutics. Dr. Eric Leire, CEO of Genflow, commented: 'Now that all dogs have received the treatment without any adverse events, we've taken an important step in confirming the treatment's safety profile. We are fully focused on advancing GF-1004 to secure a partnership with an animal health company, combining scientific and commercial expertise to pave the way for a new class of therapeutic medicines for dogs. Our shared goal is to extend the healthspan of dogs, and we believe this study will demonstrate the safety and potential efficacy of GF-1004 while opening the door to broader applications of our proprietary platform in age-related diseases in both companion animals and, ultimately, in humans.' Contacts About Genflow Biosciences Founded in 2020, Genflow Biosciences Plc. (LSE:GENF) (OTCQB:GENFF), a biotechnology company headquartered in the UK with R&D facilities in Belgium, is pioneering gene therapies to decelerate the aging process, with the goal of promoting longer and healthier lives while mitigating the financial, emotional, and social impacts of a fast-growing aging global population. Genflow's lead compound, GF-1002, works through the delivery of a centenarian variant of the SIRT6 gene which has yielded promising preclinical results. Genflow's 12-month proof-of-concept clinical trial evaluating their SIRT6-centenarian gene therapy in aged dogs began in March 2025. Other programs planned for 2025, include a clinical trial that will explore the potential benefits of GF-1002 in treating MASH (Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis), the most prevalent chronic liver disease for which there is no effective treatments. Please visit and follow the Company on LinkedIn and X. DISCLAIMER The contents of this announcement have been prepared by, and are the sole responsibility of, the Company. This announcement may contain forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's or the Directors' expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statement that refers to projections, forecasts or other characterisations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, is a forward-looking statement. The words 'anticipate', 'believe', 'continue', 'could', 'estimate', 'expect', 'intend', 'may', 'might', 'plan', 'possible', 'potential', 'predict', 'project', 'seek', 'should', 'would' and similar expressions, or in each case their negatives, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company, the business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, by their nature, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and the Company's actual financial condition, actual results of operations and financial performance, and the development of the industries in which it operates or will operate, may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement. In addition, even if the Company's financial condition, results of operations and the development of the industries in which it operates or will operate, are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement, those results or developments may not be indicative of financial condition, results of operations or developments in subsequent periods. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include regional, national or global, political, economic, social, business, technological, competitive, market and regulatory conditions. Any forward-looking statement contained in this announcement applies only as of the date of this announcement and is expressly qualified in its entirety by these cautionary statements. Factors or events that could cause the Company's actual plans or results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement contained in this announcement is based, unless required to do so by applicable law, the Prospectus Regulation Rules, the Listing Rules, the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the FCA or the UK Market Abuse Regulation. This information is provided by Reach, the non-regulatory press release distribution service of RNS, part of the London Stock Exchange. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact [email protected] or visit SOURCE: Genflow Biosciences PLC press release
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Found: The Oldest Black Hole in the Universe
Scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have discovered the oldest known black hole in the universe. Nestled within a glowing red galaxy, it dates back 13 billion years and provides a rare glimpse into the universe's earliest moments. The black hole and the galaxy it belongs to are called CAPERS-LRD-z9. It is part of a series of galaxies known as the Little Red Dots. Compared to other galaxies, they are tiny, and they emit red light. Since 2022, scientists have been puzzled by the red spots. Observed in the distant realms of our universe, astronomers thought they were either a cluster of faraway stars or black holes at the center of different galaxies. The fact that they emit so much light suggested that they might be clusters of stars. However, they formed at such an early time that so many stars together was improbable. A new class of galaxy 'We started seeing these objects everywhere,' Anthony Taylor, co-author of the new study, told Science News. It is now generally accepted that the Little Red Dots are a new class of galaxy that formed in the early stages of the universe. The team decided to focus the JWST on one in particular, which seemed to be the oldest. This was CAPERS-LRD-z9. It emitted a huge range of infrared wavelengths. Using spectroscopy to split the light, the team studied the wavelength characteristics, looking for the fingerprint of a black hole. As fast-moving gas is sucked into black holes, it circles and creates a certain pattern of wavelengths of light. The gases moving toward us stretch into red wavelengths, while those moving away compress into blue wavelengths. 'There aren't many other things that create this signature. And this galaxy has it!' exclaimed Taylor in a statement. A blink of time A few even more distant spots could potentially be older black holes, but researchers have yet to see the same spectroscopic signature from them. This means that, at the moment, this is the oldest black hole ever discovered. At 13.3 billion years old, it formed just 500 million years after the Big Bang -- a blink of time in the scale of the universe. 'When looking for black holes, this is about as far back as you can practically go,' said Taylor. "We're really pushing the boundaries of what current technology can detect." Though the galaxies are quite small, the black hole at the center of CAPERS-LRD-z9 is not. It is about 300 million times the mass of our Sun, and roughly 10 times more massive than Sagittarius A*, the black hole at the center of the Milky Way. Even more intriguingly, its mass might represent around half of its galaxy's total stellar mass, a proportion far greater than in younger galaxies. Studying CAPERS-LRD-z9 doesn't just confirm the existence of a black hole. It gives astronomers a crucial testing ground to refine theories of early galaxy and black hole evolution. 'We only ever survey very tiny areas of the sky with the James Webb Space Telescope,' said co-author Steven Finkelstein, 'So, if we find one thing, there's got to be a lot more out there.' Solve the daily Crossword
