Visualization of Magnetic Field Instabilities in Active Galactic Nuclei Jets (IMAGE)

DOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Visualization of Magnetic Field Instabilities in Active Galactic Nuclei Jets

Caption

This rendering illustrates magnetic kink instability in simulated jets beaming from a galaxy's center. The jets are believed to be associated with supermassive black holes. The magnetic field line (white) in each jet is twisted as the central object (black hole) rotates. As the jets contact higher-density matter the magnetic fields build up and become unstable. The irregular bends and asymmetries of the magnetic field lines are symptomatic of kink instability. The instability dissipates the magnetic fields into heat with the change in density, leading them to become less tightly wound.

Credit

Berkeley Lab, Purdue University, NASA

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