Final answer:
Astrophysical jets can be incredibly long, with the longest jet in the Milky Way extending 37 light-years, while the jet from galaxy M87 spans several thousand light-years. These streams of charged particles can often be traced back close to their parent black holes, with some moving at speeds nearing light.
Step-by-step explanation:
The astrophysical jets emitted by celestial bodies such as black holes and pulsars can span significantly vast distances. The longest jet trail documented from an object within our own Milky Way galaxy extends an impressive 37 light-years, emerging from a pulsar that moves between 2.5 and 5 million miles per hour away from the core of the supernova remnant it was birthed from. In contrast, the M87 galaxy boasts an even more enormous jet that has been observed to stretch several thousand light-years, which is a testament to the cosmic scale of these phenomena.
Beyond our own galaxy, astrophysical jets associated with quasars and other active galactic nuclei have been traced to within 3 to 30 light-years of their origin, often presumed to be in proximity to a black hole. These jets are composed of matter moving close to the speed of light and can be detected in different forms of electromagnetic radiation, including X-rays, radio waves, and visible light. In some instances, objects such as protostars can also eject jets, although at smaller scales - for example, from the protostar HH 34, where material is propelled at 580,000 kilometers per hour.
Notable Observations of Astrophysical Jets
- The pulsar jet spanning 37 light-years seen in the Milky Way.
- The M87 jet, several thousand light-years in length, originating from a supermassive black hole.
- Protostar HH 34, with ejected material traveling at high velocities, observed over a five-year period showing dynamic changes.