Understanding M87 and Its Supermassive Black Hole

What was M87 initially mistaken for by astronomers?

• A star

• A nebula

• A planet

• A comet

What is the significance of the jet observed in M87?

• It proves the galaxy is moving away from us.

• It shows the galaxy is forming new stars.

• It suggests the galaxy is merging with another.

• It indicates the presence of a supermassive black hole.

What role does the accretion disc play in active galaxies?

• It absorbs light from nearby stars.

• It helps in the formation of new stars.

• It stabilizes the galaxy's rotation.

• It spins material rapidly, aiding in jet formation.

What is required to launch a jet from a galaxy like M87?

• A magnetic field and charged particles

• A high temperature core

• A strong gravitational pull

• A large number of stars

What remains a mystery in the study of high energy astrophysics related to M87?

• The speed of light in the galaxy

• The exact size of the black hole

• The formation of stars in elliptical galaxies

• The connection between the black hole, accretion disc, and jet