Astronomers have made an extraordinary discovery: two massive bubbles, towering above and below our Milky Way galaxy. These giant structures, known as Fermi Bubbles, were first detected by NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope in 2010 and have since become a subject of intense study and fascination. These bubbles are composed of high-energy particles and are a significant feature of the Milky Way's structure.
The Fermi Bubbles are enormous, extending about 25,000 light-years above and below the galactic plane. They are a pair of symmetrical, bubble-like structures that emit gamma rays, which are the most energetic form of light. The bubbles are not physical objects in the traditional sense, but rather regions of intense energy and radiation. They are thought to have originated from a massive outburst of energy from the supermassive black hole located at the center of the Milky Way, known as Sagittarius A*. This outburst could have occurred millions of years ago, with the energy still reverberating outward.
The discovery of the Fermi Bubbles has changed our understanding of the Milky Way’s activity and structure. Scientists believe that these bubbles might have formed during an event where the supermassive black hole emitted vast amounts of energy in the form of radiation and high-speed particles, effectively creating the bubbles we observe today. The structure and size of the bubbles suggest that they contain vast amounts of energy, with the gamma rays providing clues to the interactions occurring within these regions.
These bubbles provide valuable insights into the history of the Milky Way, helping scientists understand the complex relationship between our galaxy’s supermassive black hole and its surroundings. Future research and observations will continue to explore the origins of these bubbles and their role in the broader cosmic landscape.
