Black hole jets reach beyond galaxies' visible edges, shaping their fate

Astronomers found that black hole jets extend far beyond the visible part of galaxies into the circumgalactic medium (CGM), a gas envelope 10–20 times larger than the galaxy itself. These jets may determine how galaxies gain and lose the gas needed for star formation.

• Black hole jets reach the CGM gas envelope around galaxies
• The CGM is 10–20 times larger than the galaxy's visible part
• The envelope holds cold, dense gas for star formation
• Jets may shape a galaxy's fate by regulating its gas