Using the Very Large Array (NSF VLA), astronomers have revealed for the first time the huge flow of gas near a massive star in the making which allows its rapid growth.
Recent News
NSF NRAO Announces 2025 Jansky Fellows
The NRAO Jansky Fellowship Program is designed to support outstanding early-career scientists and engineers in conducting independent research related to the mission of the U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO).
University of Florida and NSF NRAO Forge Path for Discovery
The U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO) and the University of Florida (UF) have announced a dynamic new partnership to advance science education and public outreach at a future Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) antenna site in Florida.
Radio Observations of Compact Symmetric Objects Shed New Light on Black Hole Phenomenon

Credit: S. Dagnello, B. Saxton/NRAO/AUI/NSF
A groundbreaking investigation into Compact Symmetric Objects (CSOs), a peculiar class of galaxies, has revealed new insights into their spectacular but short-lived existence
Compact Symmetric Objects (CSOs) have long puzzled astronomers with their unique characteristics. These active galaxies harbor supermassive black holes that emit powerful jets traveling at near-light speeds in opposite directions. However, unlike their counterparts in other galaxies, these jets remain compact, not extending out to great distances as expected. For decades, scientists presumed that CSOs were youthful entities, with their jets destined to expand over time.

When a star is captured by the gravitational force of a black hole and shredded, or spaghettified, sometimes twin jets spiral outward. These jets can give birth to Compact Symmetrical Objects (CSOs), which scientists have confirmed are a unique class of active galaxies.
New findings, published in three papers in The Astrophysical Journal, challenge this notion. The Caltech-led team, spearheaded by Anthony (Tony) Readhead, Robinson Professor of Astronomy, Emeritus, discovered that CSOs have relatively short lifespans. Through an exhaustive review of literature and observations, the team identified over 3,000 CSO candidates, confirming 64 as authentic CSOs and recognizing 15 new candidates. These objects were previously observed by the U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO)’s Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA), renowned for its unparalleled resolution.
The studies, funded by NSF, NASA, Caltech, and the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Bonn, Germany, mark a significant step forward in understanding the dynamic processes shaping our universe. Read the full Caltech release and view NRAO’s scientific visualization animation.
About NRAO
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For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
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This news article was originally published on the NRAO website on March 26, 2024.
Recent News
Unveiling the Birth Secrets of Massive Stars with the NSF NRAO Very Large Array
Using the Very Large Array (NSF VLA), astronomers have revealed for the first time the huge flow of gas near a massive star in the making which allows its rapid growth.
NSF NRAO Announces 2025 Jansky Fellows
The NRAO Jansky Fellowship Program is designed to support outstanding early-career scientists and engineers in conducting independent research related to the mission of the U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO).
University of Florida and NSF NRAO Forge Path for Discovery
The U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO) and the University of Florida (UF) have announced a dynamic new partnership to advance science education and public outreach at a future Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) antenna site in Florida.