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News Feature: May 13, 2020 at 12:00 pm EDT

Featured Video: Viewing Active Galaxies

What does an active black hole look like? It depends on your point of view.

Active galaxies, powered by black holes, can appear very different when seen from different points of view.

In this new video Melissa Hoffman of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory shows how a donut-shaped cloud around the black hole of galaxy Cygnus A can explain why seemingly different phenomena in the Universe are actually very similar.

Watch the video here.

Read the original press release about this finding here.

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Join our host Melissa Hoffman of the NRAO as she shows how a donut-shaped cloud...Read More

Credit: NRAO/AUI/NSF

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The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
	Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.
	The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."
	AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.