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Scientists discover how stellar-mass black holes emit powerful plasma jets

Researchers have discovered key conditions needed for a stellar black hole to create plasma jets, including the rapid shrinkage of superheated gas material towards the black hole. This study reveals that jets form under dynamic conditions, providing insights into galaxy evolution and the properties of black holes.

SourceNagoya University·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of Japan·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 8, 2025

A new path to understanding black holes

Physicists have discovered a new theoretical framework called supermazes that redefine the concept of black holes, providing a more universal picture of their microstructure. Supermazes are based on string theory and offer a detailed portrait of the microscopic structure of brane black holes.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJournal of High Energy Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 2, 2025

How black holes could nurture life

Researchers found that AGN radiation can have a paradoxically nurturing effect on life, especially when oxygen levels are present, allowing the planet's protective ozone layer to grow and shield it from radiation. This process can help ensure life's success, but its effects depend on how close the planet is to the source of radiation.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 21, 2025

Cosmic anomaly hints at frightening future for Milky Way

Astronomers have discovered a cosmic anomaly that challenges our understanding of the universe, revealing a spiral galaxy harboring a supermassive black hole billions of times the Sun's mass. This discovery forces us to rethink how galaxies evolve and how supermassive black holes grow in them.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateMar 21, 2025

Black holes: not endings, but beginnings? New research could revolutionize our understanding of the universe

Researchers propose a revolutionary link between time and dark energy, suggesting that the mysterious force driving the universe's expansion may be used to measure time. The study could pave the way for groundbreaking new fundamental theories and breakthroughs in our understanding of the universe.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeObservational study·DateMar 12, 2025

Einstein Probe releases its Science White Paper

The Einstein Probe mission aims to probe X-ray transient sources and explosive astrophysical phenomena, contributing significantly to astronomical research. The mission's sophisticated observational instruments will enhance the detection of sudden X-ray transients and monitor variability in known celestial sources.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Physics Mechanics and Astronomy·TypeSystematic review·DateMar 6, 2025

DESI uncovers 300 new intermediate-mass black holes plus 2500 new active black holes in dwarf galaxies

The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) has discovered a treasure trove of actively feeding black holes in small galaxies, revealing surprisingly few are of intermediate mass. The team identified 300 new intermediate-mass black hole candidates and 2500 active black holes in dwarf galaxies.

Small and yet so powerful

Scientists have discovered that even low-mass microquasars can accelerate particles to high energies, producing gamma-ray signals. This finding challenges the long-held belief that only high-mass systems are capable of particle acceleration.

SourceMax-Planck-Institut fur Kernphysik·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJan 29, 2025

Astronomers observe real-time formation of black hole jets for the first time

Astronomers have observed a phenomenon where a supermassive black hole forms plasma jets in real-time, marking the first-ever observation of this process. The discovery provides new insights into how black holes interact with their host galaxies and could help scientists understand the evolution of the universe.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJan 16, 2025

Astronomers catch unprecedented features at brink of active black hole

Radio data reveals jets of ionized gas extending from either side of the black hole, with a total size of about half a light-year. The observation suggests that the launch of a black hole jet has never been observed before in real time, providing critical clues to why only a fraction of monster black holes produce powerful plasma jets.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 14, 2025

Primordial naked singularities: Nature’s quantum gravity laboratories pervading the universe?

Researchers suggest that gravitational collapse in the early universe could give rise to incredibly dense point-like objects, namely visible or naked singularities. This ultra-strong gravity condition provides a unique opportunity to probe new fundamental aspects of physics, including quantum gravity. The possibility of PNaSs accountin...

SourceTata Institute of Fundamental Research·JournalJournal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics·DateJan 9, 2025

Supermassive black holes halt rapid construction in an ancient celestial city

A team of researchers used James Webb Space Telescope data to find massive galaxies with supermassive black holes showing no sign of star formation, supporting the theory that SMBHs can suppress gas supply and halt galaxy growth. The study provides new insights into the co-evolution of SMBHs and galaxies.

SourceWaseda University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Letters·TypeObservational study·DateDec 18, 2024

Astrophysicists capture astonishing images of gamma-ray flare from supermassive black hole M87

A team of scientists captured an astonishing image of a gamma-ray flare emanating from the supermassive black hole at the center of galaxy M87. The flare was tens of millions of times larger than the event horizon and lasted about three days, providing crucial insights into particle acceleration near black holes.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateDec 13, 2024

Black hole debate settled? Stellar-mass black holes found at the heart of the Milky Way's largest star cluster

Researchers used pulsar accelerations and stellar velocities to determine the presence of a cluster of stellar mass black holes at the centre of Omega Centauri. The study refines understanding of the formation of these intermediate-mass black holes, which could bridge the gap between stellar and supermassive black holes.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateDec 9, 2024

Evidence of primordial black holes may be hiding in planets, or even everyday objects here on Earth

Researchers propose that small black holes born in the early universe could have left behind hollow planetoids and microscopic tunnels, potentially detectable with telescopes or by monitoring old materials. The study suggests a low probability of primordial black hole passage but emphasizes the potential for discovery.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalPhysics of the Dark Universe·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 2, 2024

Evidence mounts for dark energy from black holes

Researchers found evidence that black holes contain dark energy, which could explain its mysterious nature. The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument provided data showing a correlation between the growth of black holes and the increase in dark energy density over time.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalJournal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics·DateOct 28, 2024

Seeing a black hole's jet in a new light

A team of researchers has discovered a new pattern in the high-energy jet of particles blasted by the supermassive black hole at the center of galaxy Centaurus A. The study found that the speed of one knot in the X-ray jet was at least 94% the speed of light, significantly faster than previously measured speeds using radio observations.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateOct 28, 2024

New imagery technique helps understand the Universe

Researchers at the University of Minnesota developed a new technique to visualize 2D radio images in 3D, revealing distinct shapes and structures of galaxies and massive black holes. The technique uses Faraday rotation to estimate distances and analyze material interactions, potentially altering previous models.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 22, 2024

NASA’s Hubble finds that a black hole beam promotes stellar eruptions

Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope discovered that the blowtorch-like jet from a supermassive black hole at the core of a huge galaxy causes stars to erupt along its trajectory. The finding suggests that there is something missing from our understanding of how black hole jets interact with their surroundings.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateSep 26, 2024

Black hole pairs may unveil new particles

Physicists from Amsterdam and Copenhagen suggest that a careful analysis of merging black hole pairs' gravitational waves could reveal the existence of new ultralight bosons. This process, called superradiance, provides an opportunity to probe these particles, which may resolve puzzles in astrophysics and particle physics.

SourceUniversiteit van Amsterdam·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeObservational study·DateSep 17, 2024

Massive merger: study reveals evidence for origin of supermassive black hole at galaxy’s center

UNLV astrophysicists found evidence suggesting the supermassive black hole at the center of our Milky Way galaxy, Sgr A*, is likely the result of a past cosmic merger. The study utilized data from the Event Horizon Telescope's 2022 observation of Sgr A* to investigate various growth models and demonstrated that the misaligned spin prop...

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateSep 6, 2024