Articles tagged with Black Holes
LIGO has made its third detection of gravitational waves, revealing a new population of black holes with masses up to 49 times that of the sun. The detected black holes were formed by merging pairs and provide clues about their spin directions, which may be non-aligned compared to their orbital motion.
Scientists used the world's most powerful X-ray laser to create a 'molecular black hole' that pulled in surrounding electrons, stripping away more than 50 electrons from a single atom. The results provide fundamental insights into how to better plan and interpret experiments using intense X-rays.
Researchers at Kansas State University used ultra-intense X-rays to break up molecules, creating a molecular 'black hole' that pulls electrons away. This discovery may help scientists understand the damage caused by X-ray radiation in biological systems.
Researchers use ultra-bright X-ray light to ionize a molecule, creating a 'molecular black hole' that explodes within a trillionth of a second. The study provides crucial information for analyzing complex molecules with X-ray lasers.
Researchers used Pan-STARRS telescope data to search for stars crashing into hard surfaces around supermassive black holes. No such transients were detected, supporting the existence of event horizons. The team plans to improve the test with a larger telescope.
Astronomers discovered a massive star that collapsed into a black hole without exploding as a supernova, challenging the typical view of star formation. The study suggests that up to 30% of massive stars may quietly collapse into black holes without producing a supernova.
Researchers found a dying star that fizzled out and left behind a black hole, shedding light on why massive stars rarely explode as supernovae. The discovery could help explain the origins of supermassive black holes.
Astronomers using the VLA discovered a bright new object near Cygnus A's core, suggesting it could be either a rare supernova explosion or an outburst from a second supermassive black hole. The object's characteristics indicate it may have formed when the galaxy merged with another.
Ben Tippett's research uses Einstein's theory of general relativity to propose a method for time travel. By curving space-time into a circle, he suggests that time can be bent and travelers can move backward in time. However, the use of exotic matter is still needed to make this concept a reality.
A team of scientists has found a way to distinguish a naked singularity from a black hole using the precession frequency of a gyroscope orbiting around it. The frequency increases as matter approaches a rotating black hole, but decreases or becomes zero for a naked singularity.
Astrophysicists at the University of Birmingham made progress in understanding how two black holes can merge, using Advanced LIGO data. The team found that all three observed events can be formed via isolated binary evolution via a common-envelope phase.
Researchers are creating the first images of a supermassive black hole's event horizon using an Earth-sized telescope. The project aims to test predictions from Einstein's general relativity theory by studying the shadow, mass, and spin of the black hole.
Researchers have observed and interpreted a cosmic phenomenon resulting from the acceleration of gas clouds by black holes and reacceleration by shock waves. The study reveals the connection between double acceleration and radio emission in galaxy clusters.
Astronomers discover enigmatic flash of X-rays from galaxy 10.7 billion light years away, exhibiting properties unlike known gamma-ray bursts or stellar destruction; scientists struggle to understand its origin and potential implications for compact star mergers.
Astronomers have observed stars forming within powerful outflows of material blasted out from supermassive black holes. The discovery provides new insights into galaxy properties and evolution, shedding light on how galaxies obtain their shapes and become enriched with heavy elements.
Astronomers discovered a supermassive black hole weighing over 1 billion suns that was propelled out of the center of a distant galaxy due to gravitational wave energy. The estimated equivalent energy is 100 million supernovas, and the black hole travels at speeds of up to 4.7 million miles per hour.
Astronomers have mapped the location of optical and ultraviolet light emitted by a star torn apart by a black hole. The team used Swift satellite observations to track the changes in brightness of various wavelengths, finding that they originated from elliptical streams of orbiting matter crashing into each other.
Researchers discovered a supermassive black hole 'choking' on stellar debris, producing small fluctuations in the energy emitted by the flare. The study provides insight into how black holes grow and evolve, offering a potential window into hidden black holes.
Astronomers have observed a star orbiting a black hole at a rate of nearly twice an hour, marking the tightest orbital dance between a black hole and a companion star ever seen. The discovery was made using the combined power of three advanced telescopes.
A new simulation model describes the formation of supermassive black holes in the early universe, proposing that massive gas clouds collapse directly to seed these behemoths. This alternative model, known as the Direct collapse black hole model, suggests that inefficient gas cooling is necessary for this process.
Astronomers have found evidence for a star orbiting a black hole at an unprecedented distance, about twice an hour. The close-in binary system, located 14,800 light years from Earth, provides valuable insights into the behavior of black holes and their companion stars.
Researchers found that a nearby galaxy's radiation could trigger the collapse of a host galaxy, allowing a massive black hole to form and grow rapidly. The study provides new insights into the formation of supermassive black holes in the infant universe.
Astronomers have found evidence of a star that whips around a likely black hole twice an hour, marking the tightest orbital dance ever seen by a black hole and a companion star in our own Milky Way galaxy. The stellar couple is located in the globular cluster 47 Tucanae, about 14,800 light years away from Earth.
The discovery of over 60 extremely distant quasars nearly doubles the known number, offering a unique window into the early universe. Studying these 'lighthouses' of the cosmos will help understand how galaxies developed and interacted with supermassive black holes.
A new study found that gravitational waves detected by LIGO likely originated from black holes formed during star collapse, rather than primordial black holes. The research used computer simulations to rule out the existence of intermediate-mass primordial black holes.
Scientists have observed rapid temperature changes in ultra-fast black hole winds, which are responding to X-ray emissions from the accretion disk. This discovery provides clues for locating the origin of these outflows and their connection to galaxy formation.
A team of scientists from Clemson University has discovered five ancient galaxies with extremely powerful supermassive black holes, emitting billions of times more energetic gamma rays than visible light. The oldest known gamma-ray blazars were previously thought to be over 2 billion years old.
Astronomers found that stars are ripped apart by supermassive black holes much more often than previously thought, with rates dramatically increasing during galaxy collisions. This new understanding could lead to locating and studying dim black holes in the Milky Way.
Astronomers observe a dramatic change in the appearance of supermassive black hole in NGC 2617 galaxy, revealing previously hidden inner regions. Researchers believe rapid gas swallowing and intense radiation may be responsible for the transformation.
Scientists estimate that solitary supermassive black holes in galactic centers may be responsible for fewer observed stars being captured by black holes. The researchers found that gravitational effects from merging galaxies can explain the discrepancy, suggesting that tidal disruption events occur without our knowledge.
Astronomers have found strong evidence for an intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH) weighing 2,200 solar masses at the center of the globular star cluster 47 Tucanae. The IMBH is believed to be the missing link between stellar-mass and supermassive black holes, potentially providing insight into the formation of galaxies.
A giant black hole has been found to have fed off a nearby star for over 9 years, breaking the previous record for the longest tidal disruption event. The X-ray data suggests that the radiation from material surrounding this black hole consistently surpassed the Eddington limit.
Astronomers detected a compact molecular cloud with unusual motion near the supernova remnant W44, suggesting the presence of a hidden black hole. The black hole is estimated to be between 3.5 and 36 times more massive than the sun, sparking debate over its origin.
Astronomers discover five new gamma-ray blazars with massive black holes, challenging current ideas on their formation and growth. The discoveries suggest that these objects could have formed rapidly in the universe's early history.
The galaxy RX J1140.1+0307 has a supermassive black hole with one of the lowest known masses, yet its emission spectrum cannot be explained by current models. Scientists believe other mechanisms are at play in the interactions between the inner and outer parts of the accretion disk surrounding the black hole.
Astrophysicist Hai Fu aims to study the late stages of merging galaxies and observe supermassive black holes' accretion using a large chunk of the night sky. The research project will use radio-emission maps and optical observations to confirm findings.
New research reveals that the Milky Way's black hole can create hundreds of planet-mass objects, which are then flung throughout the galaxy. These objects, known as 'spitballs,' could be detected by future telescopes and may pose a challenge to distinguish from free-floating planets.
A team of astronomers led by Penn State's Niel Brandt has captured the deepest X-ray image ever obtained, revealing a treasure trove of supermassive black holes. The image, taken with Chandra observing time of about 11 weeks, shows that these massive objects grow in bursts rather than slowly accumulating matter.
Scientists develop rigorous new method for modeling the accretion disk that feeds the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. This approach replaces traditional formulas with a kinetic method to trace collisionless particles, improving understanding of plasma behavior and radiative efficiency.
Astronomers discovered a rare event where a star was destroyed by a massive black hole's gravitational tides, producing an unusually bright flash of light. The event occurred in a distant 'red' galaxy with older stars, defying typical supernova models.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo developed a new detection method that will detect approximately 10 black holes per year, doubling the current number within two years. This method combines microlensing and radio wave interferometry to extract parameters such as mass, distance, and velocity from black hole events.
A spinning supermassive black hole destroyed a Sun-like star, causing the most luminous supernova ever recorded. The observation is attributed to a tidal disruption event rather than an extraordinary bright supernova.
A team of astronomers discovered that a massive flare in a distant galaxy was actually a tidal disruption event caused by a rapidly spinning supermassive black hole. The finding marks the first time a TDE has been used to study black hole spin, providing new insights into stellar death.
Astronomers have discovered a hyper-starburst galaxy that is forming stars at an incredible rate of 4,500 times the mass of the Sun every year. This galaxy, SPT 0346-52, is 12.7 billion light years from Earth and provides valuable insights into the evolution of galaxies and the formation of massive galaxies.
AUC Riverside-led team discovers unique population of extremely red quasars with high incidence of powerful quasar-driven outflows. These outflows may be involved in galaxy-wide blowouts of gas and dust, halting further growth in black holes and inhibiting star formation.
Fast radio bursts (FRBs) emit non-radio emission, challenging models and suggesting severe consequences for host galaxies. The discovery of FRB 131104's gamma-ray counterpart opens possibilities for detecting long-lived counterparts using X-ray, optical, and radio telescopes.
Astronomers have discovered a 'nearly naked' supermassive black hole after a smaller galaxy passed through a larger neighbor, stripping away nearly all its stars and gas. The remnant black hole is now speeding away at over 2,000 miles per second.
The LIGO Scientific Collaboration detected gravitational waves that could have been caused by the collision of two black holes. Researchers used theoretical models to test whether these signals could also be produced by gravastars, hypothetical objects proposed as an alternative to black holes.
Dense molecular gas disks are supplying gas directly to supermassive black holes at galaxy centers. The growth of supermassive black holes is enhanced by strong turbulence generated by supernova explosions in these disks.
Associate professor Chris Packham will use a $387,214 NSF grant to observe local galaxies and understand the nature of their central black holes. The project aims to uncover how these supermassive black holes influence galaxy formation.
Researchers at the University of Surrey have discovered hundreds of undetectable black holes within a globular cluster, overturning old theories on their formation. The study uses advanced simulations to map the cluster and its behavior, revealing the effects of these massive objects on the surrounding stars.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University suggest that fast radio bursts could provide clues to dark matter by detecting black holes of a specific mass. The team argues that the brief flashes of radio-frequency radiation can detect black holes with masses predicted for dark matter, offering a direct probe of this phenomenon.
A team of physicists has made a significant breakthrough in understanding the internal composition of neutron stars. They used thermal perturbation theory to determine the thermodynamic properties of dense quark matter under extreme conditions, shedding light on its potential presence inside these stars.
New data from NuSTAR reveals large numbers of black holes sending out high-energy X-rays, helping astronomers understand growth patterns and evolution of supermassive black holes. The study resolves 35% of the high-energy X-ray background, uncovering details about the most obscured black holes hidden in gas and dust.
The LIGO-Virgo collaboration's detection of binary black holes could be evidence of primordial black holes formed after the Big Bang. The observation would guide theories about the universe's early days and provide crucial clues about dark matter.
Rochester Institute of Technology professors Carlos Lousto and Manuela Campanelli have won separate grants worth $600,000 and $435,000 to advance gravitational wave astronomy. The funding will support research on black hole mergers and develop software tools for computational astrophysics.
Data from Japan's Hitomi X-ray satellite shows that supermassive black holes play a crucial role in the evolution of galaxies, regulating their growth by releasing energy that keeps plasma hot. This heat prevents galaxies from forming new stars and becoming even larger.
Physicists have devised a method to distinguish black holes from compact massive objects using the energy spectrum of particles moving in their vicinity. The method involves studying the behavior of scalar particles near these objects and finding discrete energy levels, which are absent in the case of black holes.
Researchers develop new method to detect and measure black hole superkicks using gravitational waves, which occur when two spinning supermassive black holes collide. eLISA space-based detector expected to detect several runaway black holes upon launch in 2034.
Researchers at RIT create a faster and more accurate way to assess gravitational wave signals, inferring the sources that made them. They use numerical simulations of binary black holes to extract information directly from the data, improving accuracy over previous approximations.