Articles tagged with Black Holes
A new study using data from NASA's Swift satellite and Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope shows that high-speed jets launched from active black holes possess fundamental similarities regardless of mass, age or environment. The result provides a tantalizing hint that common physical processes are at work.
Astronomers have detected radio-emitting jets from a stellar-mass black hole outside our galaxy, providing insight into extreme accretion rates. The discovery sheds light on the nature of ultraluminous X-ray sources and their connection to black hole binaries.
Researchers used Earth-orbiting X-ray telescopes to observe a bingeing black hole that expels powerful beams of material, solving the debate over whether ULXs are black holes gorging themselves or more massive ones eating sedately. The discovery provides key insights into how jets are produced by a binging black hole.
A team of astronomers discovered a 'missing link' of black holes in the Andromeda galaxy, shedding light on bright X-ray sources and ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs). The findings confirm that these ULXs are normal, everyday black holes with masses around ten times that of the Sun.
Astronomers have discovered a microquasar in the Andromeda Galaxy, a black hole devouring material from a companion star. The discovery provides opportunities for detailed studies to unravel the mystery of microquasars and their physics.
Scientists have used an X-ray laser to measure atomic processes in extreme plasmas, revealing a surprising finding: collisions with electrons are not a factor in reducing X-ray signals. This discovery challenges existing models and paves the way for future research using free-electron lasers.
Davide Gaiotto has won a $100,000 New Horizons in Physics Prize for emerging work as a young researcher, while Stephen Hawking received a $3 million Fundamental Physics Prize for his path-breaking discoveries about black holes. Perimeter Institute congratulates its researchers on these major international awards.
Astronomers have identified a new class of galaxies, known as green beans, which are rare and display the largest and brightest glowing regions ever found. These giant glows are thought to be echoes from when the central black hole was more active in the past, providing valuable insights into galaxy evolution.
The study uses combined imaging power to unveil spectacular jets of the galaxy, powered by a 2.5-billion-solar-mass central black hole. The jets exhibit unusual ring-like structures and are composed of high-energy plasma beams, subatomic particles, and magnetic fields.
Astronomers have discovered a black hole with 17 billion solar masses in the heart of a small galaxy, NGC 1277. This massive object challenges current models of galaxy evolution and could be the largest known black hole of its kind.
A record-setting X-ray jet has been detected 12.4 billion light years from Earth, providing a glimpse into the explosive activity associated with supermassive black holes in the early universe. The jet is thought to be boosted by cosmic background radiation and points almost directly toward us.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered a quasar with the most energetic outflow ever recorded, exceeding the Milky Way galaxy's total power output by 100 times. The massive material ejected has a rate equivalent to two trillion times the sun's power output.
Astronomers used the Hobby-Eberly Telescope to measure a massive black hole in galaxy NGC 1277 with a mass 17 billion Suns, rewriting theories on black hole formation. This unusual finding comes from a survey of the most massive galaxies in the universe.
Astronomers discovered a quasar hidden behind a dusty galaxy, where no starlight is visible due to intense dust blocking. The James Webb Space Telescope will help detect the underlying stars, which were not seen by Hubble.
Astronomers have discovered a supersonic jet of material from a supermassive black hole at the center of a distant galaxy, resembling an afterburner flow. The jet exhibits bright and dark regions, including regularly spaced areas brighter than the rest, which may provide insight into its formation and power.
NASA's Swift satellite detected a rising tide of high-energy X-rays from a source near the center of the Milky Way galaxy, announcing the presence of a new stellar-mass black hole. The discovery was made using the Burst Alert Telescope and X-ray Telescope on Swift.
Researchers have discovered a star orbiting the Milky Way's monster black hole in just 11.5 years, offering a new test of Einstein's general theory of relativity. TMT will enable breakthroughs on astrometric precision and potentially find even more tightly bound stars, allowing for tests of gravity's warping of space-time.
Astronomers report the discovery of S0-102, a star with an extremely short orbit near the supermassive black hole at the Milky Way's galactic center. The study aims to test Einstein's theory of general relativity and reveal the fabric of space and time around a black hole.
Two black holes, about 10 to 20 times heavier than the Sun, have been found in the globular cluster M22, a surprise discovery that challenges existing theories. The research, published in Nature, reveals that these smaller black holes are more common in globular clusters than previously thought.
Astronomers have found two smaller black holes in Messier 22 globular cluster, contradicting theoretical predictions of a single black hole. The discovery sheds new light on the environment in close clusters of hundreds of thousands of stars.
Researchers at MIT's Haystack Observatory have measured the radius of a black hole at the center of a distant galaxy using the Event Horizon Telescope. The measurement confirms Einstein's theory of general relativity by showing that the accretion disk is spinning in the same direction as the black hole.
Researchers used computer simulations to explore the mergers of supersized black holes, revealing a 'funnel-like structure' that could drive particle jets. The study sheds light on the universe's most extreme phenomena, including gravitational waves, black holes, and the death of stars.
A team of scientists has discovered a 'launchpad' where jet streams from black holes originate, providing insight into the phenomenon. The finding suggests that the black hole is the engine driving the jets, and spin plays a crucial role in their production.
Astronomers have measured the closest distance that matter can approach a black hole without being pulled in. The findings suggest that the accretion disk is spinning in the same direction as the black hole, providing new insights into gravity and space.
Researchers from Cardiff University found that the different tones of a dying black hole can provide insight into its mass and spin. By analyzing these tones, scientists may be able to weigh two black holes after they've collided and merged, potentially testing Einstein's general theory of relativity.
Astronomers found a cloud of hydrogen and helium plunging toward the galactic center, which represents the remains of a planet-forming disk. The discovery suggests that planets can still form near black holes due to stars in a ring orbiting the galaxy's central black hole.
The conference aimed to examine recent developments in active galactic nuclei and their effect on star formation. Researchers now believe that the energy released by supermassive black holes controls this process, which is crucial for galaxy evolution.
Astronomers have discovered galactic winds measuring up to 2,500 km/s, driven by intense bursts of star formation, potentially shutting down galaxy star formation. Young, compact galaxies with high-velocity winds are rare and may be part of a common phase in galaxy evolution.
The Phoenix Cluster, discovered by the NSF's South Pole Telescope, is creating stars at an unprecedented rate of 20 times faster than in other clusters. The cluster's central galaxy and super-massive black hole are undergoing unsustainable growth, adding mass quickly before it becomes unsustainable.
Astronomers have discovered a massive galaxy cluster, known as the Phoenix Cluster, that is breaking several important cosmic records. Stars are forming in this object at the highest rate ever seen in the middle of a galaxy cluster.
The Phoenix cluster holds the record for the fastest star formation rate in a galaxy cluster's center, breaking previous assumptions about cosmic evolution. The cluster's high star birth rate and rapid cooling of hot gas are expected to be short-lived due to unsustainable growth.
Researchers have identified a QPO signal in a distant galaxy's black hole, revealing insights into the nature of compact objects. The detection extends the reach of relativity testing to smaller black holes, about 3.5 minutes apart.
Intermediate-mass black holes can grow in galaxy gas disks through a mechanism similar to giant planet formation. The 'runaway growth' phenomenon allows stellar black holes to swallow stars and increase their mass, potentially creating an intermediate-mass black hole.
Researchers aim to achieve superconductivity at non-cryogenic temperatures by studying polariton condensates, a phenomenon exhibiting quantum collective behavior. Theoretical physicist Eric Bittner and experimentalist Carlos Silva will collaborate on the project.
Astronomers have confirmed the first known 'middleweight' black hole, HLX-1, using observations with CSIRO's Australia Telescope Compact Array. The black hole is estimated to be around 20,000 to 90,000 times the mass of the Sun and lies in a galaxy called ESO 243-49.
New study finds that most massive black-hole growth in the early universe was fueled by small, long-term events rather than dramatic short-term major mergers. Quasars thrive in normal-looking spiral galaxies, triggered by black holes snacking on gas or small satellite galaxies.
Researchers suggest that axions, hypothetical particles with low mass, could accumulate around black holes and emit gravity waves. This process could be measured using existing detectors, providing insights into astronomy and potentially revealing new particle types.
A new study using Chandra data reveals two galaxies with supermassive black holes growing at a rate outpacing their host galaxies. The findings suggest that dark matter halos and black holes are linked in the growth of these galaxies, contradicting previous assumptions.
Astronomers use XMM-Newton data to detect X-ray 'echoes' from a distant galaxy, revealing a new way to study supersized black holes and their accretion disks. The echoes, which lag behind AGN flares by up to 30 minutes, provide insights into the environment around these massive black holes.
Astronomers using Herschel Space Observatory data show that massive black holes at galaxy centers influence star formation rates. Galaxies with powerful black holes form stars at a thousand times the rate of Milky Way, but fastest-growing black holes shut off star formation in surrounding galaxies.
Astronomers at Queen's University Belfast have gathered direct evidence of a supermassive black hole shredding a star that wandered too close. The discovery provides insights into the harsh environment around black holes and the types of stars swirling around them.
Astronomers have discovered a supermassive black hole eating a star's core, revealing that these massive objects snack infrequently. The discovery showcases the power of the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) in detecting transient phenomena.
Astronomers have gathered direct evidence of a supermassive black hole ripping apart a star that strayed too close. The team identified the victim as a helium-rich star in a galaxy 2.7 billion light-years away, providing insights into the harsh environment around black holes.
A team of astronomers led by Suvi Gezari has identified a star rich in helium gas that was ripped apart by the gravitational forces of a supermassive black hole. The star's remains were seen falling into the black hole, while the rest was ejected at high speeds, providing insights into the harsh environment around black holes.
Astronomers have discovered a group of over 675 hypervelocity stars on the outskirts of the Milky Way, which are believed to have been ejected from the galactic core. These stars, found in intergalactic space between the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxy, exhibit high metallicity indicating an inner galactic origin.
The IceCube Collaboration found no evidence of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays originating from gamma-ray bursts, challenging the long-held theory. Instead, the team suggests that active galactic nuclei may be responsible for accelerating these particles.
The closest large elliptical galaxy to the Milky Way, Centaurus A has a twisted disc of dust near its centre, formed from a cosmic collision with another galaxy. The galaxy's powerful heart features two massive jets streaming from a massive black hole, emitting strong radio emission and visible in far-infrared images.
Australians and Koreans have linked their radio telescopes for the first time, creating a gigantic telescope spanning over 8,000 km. The combined system has 100 times the resolving power of the Hubble Space Telescope, enabling scientists to study distant galaxies in unprecedented detail.
New research reveals that supermassive black holes can double in mass by ripping apart double-star systems and swallowing one of the stars. This process is thought to be the dominant method for growing these massive objects.
A University of Utah astrophysicist has proposed that supermassive black holes in galaxy centers grow by consuming single stars from wandering binary pairs. The study found that this process is an efficient way to bring stars close to black holes, outperforming gas clouds as a growth mechanism.
Researchers have identified hypervelocity planets and stars that are ejected from the Milky Way at millions of miles per hour due to their close interaction with a massive black hole. The study suggests that these high-speed objects can provide valuable insights into planetary formation and evolution near the central black hole.
Researchers suggest that highly massive black holes began growing rapidly in the early universe due to chaotic gas flows. By simulating gas discs orbiting a black hole at different angles, they found that collisions between these discs can lead to a significant increase in the black hole's mass.
Astronomers have identified a new type of black-hole-driven outflow that explains the link between galaxy mass and star velocity. Ultra-fast outflows are common features of black-hole-powered galaxies, influencing galactic shape and star formation.
Astronomers have discovered a young cluster of blue stars surrounding an intermediate-mass black hole in a cannibal galaxy. The star cluster is thought to be less than 200 million years old and may be the remnant of a dwarf galaxy that was swallowed by the larger galaxy.
Researchers found a cluster of young, blue stars encircling the first intermediate-mass black hole ever discovered in a dwarf galaxy. The presence of this star cluster suggests that the black hole was once at the core of the now-disintegrated dwarf galaxy.
The study suggests a massive cloud of trillions of asteroids and comets surrounds Sgr A*, where they are vaporized by friction as they pass through the hot gas flowing onto the black hole. The flares observed by Chandra could be explained by the frequent collision of asteroids with the black hole.
The Hubble Space Telescope has created the sharpest visible-light image ever made of the nucleus of an external galaxy, the Andromeda galaxy. The blue stars surrounding the massive black hole are just 200 million years old and formed in a burst of star formation near the black hole.
An international team of astronomers identified the moment when a black hole launched super-fast knots of gas into space using NASA's RXTE and NSF's VLBA radio telescope. The 'bullets' of ionized gas were thought to arise from a region outside the event horizon, where they were associated with changes signaling the start of the process.
Researchers used the VLBA and RXTE satellite to study a 2009 outburst from a black hole system. The collaboration gathered detailed images of
Astronomers will use a new telescope called X-Calibur to study the polarization of X-rays, providing information about cosmic sources that is not available elsewhere. The instrument will be sensitive to hard X-rays and will be flown at an altitude of 40 kilometers, allowing it to focus on celestial objects with high accuracy.