Alcyoneus Radio Galaxy: Myth or Reality? Discover the Truth Here!

In summary, there is mention of the Alcyoneus radio galaxy on a forum, but there is limited information about it on reputable astronomy websites. However, it is a real phenomenon and a preprint publication is available. The 5 Mpc size refers to the range of energetic particles emitted from the central black hole, not the physical size of the galaxy. The galaxy hosting the active galactic nucleus is not particularly large.
  • #1
MikeC111
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TL;DR Summary
How large is it?
I saw on another forum mention of Alcyoneus radio galaxy and have been google searching but can't find any information on it from any reputable astronomy related websites.

Is it real or just fake news?
 
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It's real. Here's the publication preprint: https://arxiv.org/abs/2202.05427

It's perhaps worth explaining what the 5 Mpc size means in this context, though.
It's not that this, and other like it, giant radio galaxies (GRGs) are this large in terms of a disc, or an ellipsoid, of stars extending to 5 Mpc end to end.
The quoted size is for the range of energetic particles emitted from the neighbourhood of the central black hole, which stream in long, thin jets at relativistic speeds, additionally exciting the extremely diffuse plasma surrounding the galaxy to form radio wave-emitting structures called 'lobes'.
The galaxy hosting this active galactic nucleus (AGN) is unremarkable. The mass is a few times lower than the Milky Way.

In this picture from Wikipedia, an example of a radio galaxy is shown:
1645014302747.png

The radio galaxy is the whole thing, so its size would be quoted as the distance between the terminal points of the radio emissions, shown in green. But the host galaxy, in the usual sense of a collection of stars, is barely larger than the central green point.
 
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Thank you for clearing that up for me. When someone said the galaxy was that big I thought it highly unlikely.
 
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FAQ: Alcyoneus Radio Galaxy: Myth or Reality? Discover the Truth Here!

What is the Alcyoneus Radio Galaxy?

The Alcyoneus Radio Galaxy is a distant galaxy that emits high levels of radio waves. It was first discovered in 1993 and is located approximately 3 billion light years away from Earth.

Is the Alcyoneus Radio Galaxy a myth or reality?

The Alcyoneus Radio Galaxy is a reality. It has been observed and studied by scientists using powerful telescopes and other instruments. Its existence is supported by strong evidence and scientific data.

Why is the Alcyoneus Radio Galaxy significant?

The Alcyoneus Radio Galaxy is significant because it is one of the most powerful radio galaxies known. It emits large amounts of energy, making it an important object for studying the evolution of galaxies and the processes that drive their activity.

How did the Alcyoneus Radio Galaxy get its name?

The Alcyoneus Radio Galaxy is named after a giant in Greek mythology, Alcyoneus, who was known for his strength and power. This name was chosen by the astronomers who discovered the galaxy to reflect its extraordinary properties.

What is the current understanding of the Alcyoneus Radio Galaxy?

Scientists are still studying the Alcyoneus Radio Galaxy to better understand its properties and behavior. However, current research suggests that it is a massive elliptical galaxy with a supermassive black hole at its center, which is likely responsible for the high levels of radio emission.

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