The inset of this graphic shows Chandra's X-ray image of GRS 1915+105 in context of a crowded field seen in optical and infrared light. Chandra observed this object eleven times over some ten years, allowing scientists to track and analyze the black hole's behavior. A jet in this system is apparently choked off periodically when a wind from the accretion disk increases. Conversely, once the wind dies down the jet can re-emerge. These results may be the first clear evidence that this class of black holes has a mechanism for regulating their growth.
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Revised: March 24, 2009