Micro-Quasar GRS1915 Puffs

On the far side of our Galaxy , gas clouds explode away from a small black hole . This might seem peculiar, as black holes are supposed to attract matter. But material falling toward a black hole collides and heats up, creating an environment similar to a quasar that is far from stable. In the above time-lapse sequence , micro-quasar GRS1915 expels bubbles of hot gas in spectacular jets . These computer enhanced radio images show one plasma bubble coming almost directly toward us at 90 percent the speed of light , and another moving away. Each of the four frames marks the passage of one day. Originally detected on October 29th, these bubbles have now faded from view.