Many galaxies in the known universe are characterised by huge twin radiowave emitting jets streaking out from their centres, deep into intergalactic space. There are usually two of these jets, heading in opposite directions, originating at the massive black holes that exist in the centres of these galaxies. But a few galaxies have what appear to be four jets, forming roughly an X-shape on radio astronomical images. What caused this phenomenon has long been a puzzle. But observations from South Africa’s MeerKAT radio telescope array have strongly suggested the explanation.
