Articles tagged with Black Holes
An international team of astronomers has found strong evidence for an ultra-low frequency signal, consistent with the expected characteristics of a gravitational wave background. The discovery was made using data from 65 millisecond pulsars, combining independent data sets from around the world.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers has confirmed that black holes are indeed giant fuzzballs, a concept first proposed in 2004. The study proved theorems showing that the fuzzball theory remains the most likely solution to Hawking's paradox, which had long plagued the string theory community. In contrast, the wormhole par...
Astronomers captured the most comprehensive image of radio emission from a supermassive black hole in the Centaurus A galaxy, powered by in-falling gas. The eruption extends eight degrees across the sky, spanning 16 full moons, and reveals spectacular new details of the radio emission.
A team of astronomers has developed a new technique to detect active black holes in galaxies, measuring their impact on galaxy evolution. The method can be applied to millions of galaxies, searching for bright supermassive black holes at the centre of galaxies and studying their effect on star formation.
A team of astronomers has made the most precise measurements yet of the motions of stars around Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way. The research, using cutting-edge facilities like Gemini Observatory and the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope, shows that nearly all of the mass c...
Researchers discovered a compact object in supernova AT2018cow, which was a product of a dying star. The team found X-ray pulses indicating an object measuring no more than 1,000 kilometers wide and with a mass smaller than 800 suns.
Three young stars have been discovered at the center of our galaxy, contradicting initial assumptions about a gas and dust cloud called G2. The unusual temperature of G2 has sparked debate among astronomers, but new observations reveal it is actually composed of three evolving young stars.
Researchers at the DOE's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory discovered a process in plasma swirling around black holes that causes previously unexplained emissions of light and heat. The process, known as magnetic reconnection, also jettisons huge plumes of plasma billions of miles in length.
A mini-jet has been found near the Milky Way's supermassive black hole, indicating periodic outbursts. The discovery was made using multi-wavelength observations from various telescopes and suggests that the black hole is not a sleeping monster but rather dynamically variable.
Astronomers used the VLA to reveal a double helix structure in the magnetic field of M87's jet, tracing material out to nearly 3,300 light-years. The findings suggest that instabilities in the flow of material within the jet could produce the observed double-helix structure.
Astronomers at UT Austin's McDonald Observatory have discovered a massively dense black hole at the center of dwarf satellite galaxy Leo I, revealing an unprecedented mass ratio between the galaxy and its central black hole. This finding shakes up our understanding of galaxy evolution and dark matter distribution.
Researchers used computer simulations to investigate the conversion rates of neutrons and protons in accretion disks surrounding black holes, finding that disks with masses between 0.01 to 0.1 solar masses are optimal for heavy element production. This suggests that neutron star mergers producing such disks could be the origin of a lar...
Researchers detected gamma rays from ultra-fast outflows (UFOs) launched by supermassive black holes, providing a basis for understanding their role in regulating black hole growth and galaxy evolution. UFOs create shock waves that accelerate charged particles, influencing the surrounding matter and accelerating star formation.
Researchers at the University of Surrey have discovered a fundamental connection between atomic nucleus sizes and black hole thermodynamics. By applying geometrical thermodynamics, they were able to accurately calculate nuclear radii for helium isotopes without relying on conventional microscopic models.
Theoretical physicists modelled the region around M87's supermassive black hole, confirming that gravity plays a key role in accelerating particles out to thousands of light years. The findings provide further evidence for Einstein's theory of general relativity and its application to astrophysical phenomena.
A new study suggests that black holes grow in lockstep with the expanding universe, a phenomenon called cosmological coupling. This idea improves the explanation for large black hole masses observed in gravitational wave observatories.
A new study suggests that a gravitational 'kick' from colliding supermassive black holes could be responsible for the strange shape of stars at the center of the Andromeda Galaxy. The team used computer simulations to track the consequences of such a merger, finding that it could knock millions of stars into wonky orbits.
Researchers at MIT and UNH find that binary neutron star mergers produce two to 100 times more heavy metals than neutron star-black hole mergers. The study suggests that binary neutron stars are a likely cosmic source for gold, platinum, and other heavy metals.
Historical context of black hole thermodynamics investigated through Roger Penrose's energy extraction theory and its influence on Stephen Hawking's groundbreaking discovery of black hole radiation. The study explores the connections between Western and Soviet physicists, shedding new light on the development of this field.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham explore new approaches to detecting low-frequency gravitational waves using pulsars and other measurements. They suggest combining these methods with observations from projects like Gaia, which could help disentangle and interpret signals from the earliest periods of the universe.
A team of researchers observed the evolution of warm gas coming from an active black hole for unprecedented detail, revealing structures reminiscent of volcanic eruptions. These gas bubbles, rings, and 'intergalactic smoke' filaments are formed when black holes consume surrounding matter and release energy, influencing galaxy evolution.
Researchers found that a supermassive black hole slurping down a star generated nowhere near the energy needed for the neutrino. The outflow of material was equivalent to the Sun's radiated energy over 30 million years, but lacked the necessary power.
Researchers propose a new quantum circuit that mimics black hole behavior, allowing for the study of Hawking radiation. The proposed system uses a white hole and metamaterial to amplify Hawking radiation, potentially leading to breakthroughs in quantum communication.
Astronomers observe a tidal disruption event caused by an intermediate-mass black hole consuming a star, providing the first measurements of its mass and spin. The findings shed light on the elusive category of intermediate black holes, which may account for most black holes in galaxy centers.
Researchers propose that low-activity supermassive black holes are major factories of high-energy cosmic particles. They can generate gamma rays in the megaelectron volt range through plasma heating and accelerate protons to energies thousands of times higher than the Large Hadron Collider.
A nearly $2 million NSF grant will accelerate the hunt for low-frequency gravitational waves using high-precision timing observations of exotic stars called millisecond pulsars. WVU's Maura McLaughlin is principal investigator on the project, which aims to discover new types of gravitational waves and expand the IPTA's reach globally.
Researchers at Dartmouth College have developed a theory that produces and detects light in a vacuum, challenging classical physics. The experiment uses an accelerating diamond membrane to create photons, which are then amplified by multiple photon detectors.
A new simulation developed at Northwestern University reveals the role of galaxy spiral arms in feeding supermassive black holes with gas. The study uses high-powered computing to model gas flow across vast distances and provides insight into quasars, which are incredibly luminous fast-growing black holes.
Researchers discovered a definitive relationship between the mass of actively feeding supermassive black holes and their characteristic timescale in light flickering patterns. The findings suggest that the processes driving flickering during accretion are universal, applying to both massive black holes and lighter white dwarfs.
Researchers have discovered long narrow dust filaments that surround and feed supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies. These filaments could be the natural cause of darkening at the centers of many galaxies when nuclear black holes are active, providing a new perspective on their behavior.
Researchers have made the first direct observation of light from behind a black hole, confirming a key prediction by Einstein's theory of general relativity. The discovery was made using X-rays emitted by a supermassive black hole at a galaxy 800 million light-years away.
A team of researchers from the Flatiron Institute and Princeton University has found that the magnetic field around a black hole quickly decays when surrounded by plasma. This process, known as 'magnetic reconnection,' rapidly drains the magnetic field and could explain flares seen near supermassive black holes.
Astronomers find that massive black holes play a key role in halting star formation in galaxies, contradicting previous assumptions. Using simulations and machine learning, the team confirmed that supermassive black hole mass is the most important factor in suppressing stellar activity.
The Event Horizon Telescope has imaged the heart of the nearby radio galaxy Centaurus A, pinpointing the location of its central supermassive black hole and revealing a gigantic jet being born. The new image challenges theoretical models of jets, showing that only the outer edges emit radiation.
Researchers aim to understand jets' composition and launch mechanisms by combining theory, observation, and modelling. The goal is to develop a concordance model of jets, overcoming historical divisions between scientific approaches.
A Danish student has solved the mathematical expression behind black hole image distortions, revealing a key factor of 500 times. The result provides new opportunities to test gravity and understanding of black holes, particularly in rotating cases.
The study reveals a higher-than-expected black hole fraction, with some having masses up to 20 times that of the Sun. The researchers used simulations to understand how these massive black holes formed and influenced the cluster's evolution.
Researchers at MIT confirmed Hawking's area theorem for the first time by analyzing GW150914 signal, showing total event horizon area did not decrease after merger. The findings provide evidence that black holes behave as thermal objects and emit radiation over long timescales, a fundamental revelation about these cosmic phenomena.
Scientists have detected black holes eating neutron stars for the first time, shedding light on the Universe's most extreme objects. The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) and Virgo observatories captured the event, providing valuable insights into space and time.
Researchers confirmed detection of two rare events involving collision of black hole and neutron star, producing strong gravitational waves signals. The mergers involved massive objects with masses up to 9 solar masses and 1.9-solar-mass neutron stars, providing new information on binary systems and their properties.
The LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA collaborations have detected gravitational waves from the merger of a black hole and a neutron star. Analysis reveals that the signals originated from two mixed binaries, each made up of a neutron star and a black hole, with masses consistent with these objects.
Researchers have detected two events of black holes merging with neutron stars, providing insights into their origins and merger rates. The findings will enable the drawing of conclusions about the host of astrophysical models of compact object formation and binary evolution.
A research team from Imperial College London proposes a way that singularities could violate the law of conservation of charge by introducing axions, hypothetical particles that may explain dark matter. They show that temporary singularities in black holes could destroy electric charge, challenging a fundamental law of physics.
Researchers have found that the polarisation plane of visible light in blazars sometimes rotates, coinciding with repeated gamma ray bursts. The study also described the structure of the inner part of the jets, revealing a fast spine surrounded by a slower sheath with ring condensations.
Scientists will use six distant quasars to study galaxy evolution, supermassive black hole formation, and gas in the intergalactic medium. The team will examine the properties of these quasars and their host galaxies during the first stages of galaxy evolution.
Researchers developed a new type of gravitational wave detector that can find small primordial black holes. The device uses a specific metal cavity and strong external magnetic field to detect high-frequency gravitational waves emitted by these hypothetical black holes.
Researchers aim to detect gravitational wave signals with frequencies 11 orders of magnitude below those detected by LIGO. The NANOGrav center will use radio pulsars and telescopes to search for a 'chorus' of signals from super-massive black hole mergers.
A team of researchers has proposed a new explanation for the origin of supermassive black holes, suggesting that they are formed through the collapse of a massive seed black hole produced by the gravitational instability of a dark matter halo. This process, known as gravothermal collapse, can lead to the creation of a seed black hole w...
Researchers used ALMA to detect a galactic wind driven by a supermassive black hole 13.1 billion years ago, pushing back the start of galaxy-growth interactions by 100 million years. The observation reveals coevolution between supermassive black holes and galaxies since less than a billion years after the Universe's birth.
Satellite galaxies that orbit massive central galaxies can form new stars due to active black holes clearing their path through intergalactic gas. Researchers used systematic observations and cosmological simulations to find this counter-intuitive effect.
A study reveals that black holes have an unexpected effect on galaxy evolution, influencing the formation of stars in satellite galaxies at vast distances. The research found a clear modulation of star formation rates depending on a galaxy's orientation with respect to its central black hole.
Researchers at Tohoku University have discovered a dying supermassive black hole in the Arp 187 galaxy through analyzing radio images and multi-wavelength data. The study indicates that AGN turn-off occurs within a 3000-year time scale, with the nucleus becoming over 1000 times fainter during the last 3,000 years.
The LISA-Taiji network can constrain the Hubble parameter within 1% accuracy in just 5 years, potentially beating existing errors. Gravitational wave signals from compact binary coalescence offer a novel window for Hubble parameter determination.
The study reveals that supermassive black holes exhibit accretion states similar to those seen in stellar mass black holes, with properties including thermal emission by the plasma disc and intense radio emission. This new understanding helps clarify the activity cycles of supermassive black holes in galaxy centers.
New research uses M87* data to test Einstein-based and string-inspired theories, constraining the validity of these models. The study suggests that current data aligns well with Einstein's theory and has limitations for string-based theories.
A SMU professor is receiving a $215,000 grant from NASA to analyze data on Active Galactic Nuclei using the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite. The two-year project aims to shed light on black hole behavior and processes that emit powerful jets into host galaxies.
Researchers observed a supermassive black hole's accretion cycle, finding properties similar to stellar-mass black holes. The study suggests that accretion is independent of size, allowing for the capture of short timescale events like tidal disruption events.
A new theorem limits the use of quantum machine learning to learn processes like black holes, highlighting its fundamental limits. However, most physical processes are structured enough that they don't resemble random ones, making the impact less severe.
A new simulation study led by UCL researchers suggests that studying black hole-neutron star collisions could provide a new measurement of the Universe's expansion rate, helping to resolve a long-standing dispute. The study found that instruments on Earth could detect ripples in space-time caused by up to 3,000 such collisions by 2030.
A new NASA visualization reveals the hypnotic pas de deux of two orbiting black holes, distorting and redirecting light from their accretion disks. The system's unique features, including relativistic aberration and Doppler boosting, create striking images of each black hole.