The Strange Energy Beam Moves Faster Than the Speed of Light

Plasma light flow in the M87 galaxy is capable of moving faster than the speed of light, which contrasts with the laws of physics that astronomers are extremely excited and curious about. This article explains the key facts and context behind giant light strips.

Key Facts About Giant Light Strips

Galaxy M87, one of the most famous galaxies in the sky, merged together by two other galaxies. Scientists believe that, during that merger, the gas is sucked into a giant black hole at the center of the galaxy, then heated and the magnetic field emits a large plasma light.

In 1918, astronomer Heber Curtis was the first person to see a giant strip connected to the galaxy M87. Thanks to the measuring tools, Curtis estimates the length of this strip in about 6,000 light-years.

Why Giant Light Strips Matters

Plasma beams seem to move faster than the speed of light.

From 1995 to 1999, the expansion of the beam was monitored by the Hubble space telescope of the US Aerospace Agency (NASA). In those four years, the researchers discovered that the plasma flowed out to move faster than the plasma sprayed from the black hole. This proves that it must move faster than the speed of light.

By 2013, plasma light became even more mysterious when scientists discovered it began moving in a spiral like a cork. This same phenomenon also occurs in many other galaxies.

Although the cause is still a mystery, scientists hope that the data collected will help them learn how black holes create or destroy galaxies in the universe.