Although Cygnus X - 1 and its visible companion are only about one light - minute apart, the plumes formed by the two radio jets in Cygnus A are hundreds of thousands of light - years apart.
Ehkki Cygnus X - 1 on oma nähtavast kaaslasest vaid umbes ühe valgusminuti kaugusel, lahutavad Cygnus A - lt tulevate raadiolainete kahte juga sajad tuhanded valgusaastad.