Astrophysics & Particle Physics-APPC 2026

Relativistic jets are strongly collimated plasma outflows that are emitted near the speed of light from compact astrophysical sources, including black holes, neutron stars, and active galactic nuclei (AGN). They are among the most powerful events in the universe with the ability to carry energy and matter over thousands of light-years, affecting their environments and intergalactic medium.Relativistic jets formation is directly linked to accretion disks and to the compact object's rotational energy. Magnetic fields rooted in the accretion disk or event horizon of the black hole are torqued and strengthened, propelling plasma along the rotation axis via a process governed by magnetohydrodynamics (MHD).

Jet collimation and acceleration are the outcomes of magnetic forces combined with relativistic motion. Such jets are crucial for the investigation of high-energy astrophysics as they accelerate particles to ultra-relativistic speeds, emitting non-thermal radiation observable in more than one wavelength. Radio, optical, X-ray, and gamma-ray telescope observations assist in tracking jet dynamics, structure, and interactions with the ambient medium.Fast jets also dominate galaxy evolution by controlling star formation through heating or expelling gas within their host galaxies. Astronomers can see how energy is transported in extreme environments, jet stability, and feedback mechanisms by studying jets. In short, relativistic jets are extreme physics laboratories that connect accretion, magnetic fields, and particle acceleration at high energies. They give important insights into the behavior of compact objects, cosmic feedback processes, and galaxy evolution.