Latest news with #ChandraX-rayObservatory
NDTV
a day ago
- Science
- NDTV
Biggest-Ever Black Hole With Mass Of 36 Billion Suns Discovered: 'Cosmic Behemoth'
Scientists may have discovered the biggest black hole ever that holds a mass equivalent to that of 36 billion suns. This supermassive black hole is located five billion light-years away from Earth and sits at the centre of a giant galaxy in the Cosmic Horseshoe system, named for its striking horseshoe-shaped ring of light formed by gravitational lensing. The gigantic black hole's size is close to the theoretical upper limit of what is possible in the universe. It is 10,000 times heavier than the black hole at the centre of our own Milky Way galaxy, Sagittarius A*, which holds a mass of 4.15 million suns. "This is amongst the top 10 most massive black holes ever discovered, and quite possibly the most massive," said Thomas Collett, study author and a professor at the University of Portsmouth in England. 'Most of the other black hole mass measurements are indirect and have quite large uncertainties, so we really don't know for sure which is biggest. However, we've got much more certainty about the mass of this black hole thanks to our new method.' Researchers managed to find the 'cosmic behemoth' using a combination of gravitational lensing and stellar kinematics (the study of the motion of stars within galaxies and the speed and way they move around black holes). Despite being massive in size, the newly-discovered black hole has been dubbed a "dormant" black hole, meaning it is not actively swallowing matter in its surroundings. Notably, Sagittarius A* is also a dormant black hole. Supermassive black holes Scientists are of the view that every galaxy in the universe has a supermassive black hole at its centre and that bigger galaxies host bigger ones, known as supermassive black holes. Current theories surmise that supermassive black holes evolve from initial "seeds" formed either through the collapse of the universe's first stars (light seeds) or by direct gas cloud collapse (heavy seeds). However, these theories have lacked substantial observational backing so far. In November last year, scientists discovered a supermassive black hole, devouring matter at a phenomenal rate -- over 40 times the theoretical limit, called the Eddington limit. Named LID-568, the black hole was discovered using data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Chandra X-ray Observatory. The black hole's hunger to consume matter challenged the existing models by suggesting that these bodies are capable of exceeding the Eddington limits.
The Irish Sun
02-08-2025
- Science
- The Irish Sun
Watch monstrous black hole GOBBLE up a star before Earth-shattering explosion in incredible new Nasa clip
WATCH the shocking moment a rare black whole gobbles up a star and causes an earth-shattering explosion in a stunning new Nasa clip. 5 Researchers have created an animation showing the moment a black hole ripped apart a star Credit: NASA, ESA, Ralf Crawford (STScI 5 The event triggered a massive explosion Credit: NASA, ESA, Ralf Crawford (STScI The animation shows the rare moment that the suspected intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH) HLX-1 ripped apart the According to Live Science, IMBHs are hard to spot and often confused with clusters of smaller black holes left over from collapsed stars. Researches also think they may hide behind small groups of stars that closely orbit them without being ripped apart. Tech news Therefore, the best way to spot an IMBH is indirectly, by measuring the masses of merging black holes or by catching them in the act consuming a star. In a study published April 11 in By combining data from the and 's Chandra X-ray Observatory, the study team believes they have spotted a bright flash, or "tidal disruption event," caused by the black hole devouring a neighbouring star. However, as with many other IMBH candidates, it is not 100% certain that HLX-1 is real. Most read in Tech In addition to being rare, IMBHs are important because of what they can tell us about other black holes. Yi-Chi Chang, a researcher at the National Tsing Hua University, said: "They represent a crucial missing link in black hole evolution between stellar mass and supermassive black holes." UK-led plan to build hypersonic plane that flies on edge of space at 4,000mph going from London to NYC in 60mins One theory is that they may start as large stellar-mass black holes and eventually grow into supermassive black holes over the course of billions of years. In a search for answers, astronomers are now on the lookout for more potential tidal disruption events on the edges of other galaxies. All you need to know about the planets in our solar system Our solar system is made up of nine planets with Earth the third closest to the Sun. But each planet has its own quirks, so find out more about them all... How old is How many moons does What colour is How far away is How big is How many moons does Does How many moons does How big is How hot is the 5 HLX-1 is located on the outskirts off NGC 6099 galaxy Credit: NASA, ESA, Ralf Crawford (STScI 5 Astronomers are on the lookout for more disruption events of this kind Credit: NASA, ESA, Ralf Crawford (STScI 5 The black hole devoured a neighbouring star Credit: NASA, ESA, Ralf Crawford (STScI
Scottish Sun
02-08-2025
- Science
- Scottish Sun
Watch monstrous black hole GOBBLE up a star before Earth-shattering explosion in incredible new Nasa clip
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WATCH the shocking moment a rare black whole gobbles up a star and causes an earth-shattering explosion in a stunning new Nasa clip. Astronomers have created an extraordinary animation after detecting what they believe to be an extremely rare type of "missing link" black hole shredding a distant star. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Researchers have created an animation showing the moment a black hole ripped apart a star Credit: NASA, ESA, Ralf Crawford (STScI 5 The event triggered a massive explosion Credit: NASA, ESA, Ralf Crawford (STScI The animation shows the rare moment that the suspected intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH) HLX-1 ripped apart the star, triggering the almighty explosion. Black holes come in a range of sizes, but can be up to 40 billion times bigger than the Sun, Live Science reports. According to Live Science, IMBHs are hard to spot and often confused with clusters of smaller black holes left over from collapsed stars. Researches also think they may hide behind small groups of stars that closely orbit them without being ripped apart. Therefore, the best way to spot an IMBH is indirectly, by measuring the masses of merging black holes or by catching them in the act consuming a star. In a study published April 11 in The Astrophysical Journal , researchers reported that they'd spotted another promising IMBH candidate, located more than 450 million light-years from Earth. By combining data from the Hubble Space Telescope and NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, the study team believes they have spotted a bright flash, or "tidal disruption event," caused by the black hole devouring a neighbouring star. However, as with many other IMBH candidates, it is not 100% certain that HLX-1 is real. In addition to being rare, IMBHs are important because of what they can tell us about other black holes. Yi-Chi Chang, a researcher at the National Tsing Hua University, said: "They represent a crucial missing link in black hole evolution between stellar mass and supermassive black holes." UK-led plan to build hypersonic plane that flies on edge of space at 4,000mph going from London to NYC in 60mins One theory is that they may start as large stellar-mass black holes and eventually grow into supermassive black holes over the course of billions of years. In a search for answers, astronomers are now on the lookout for more potential tidal disruption events on the edges of other galaxies. All you need to know about the planets in our solar system Our solar system is made up of nine planets with Earth the third closest to the Sun. But each planet has its own quirks, so find out more about them all... How old is Earth? Plus other facts on our planet How many moons does Mercury have? What colour is Venus? How far away is Mars to Earth? And other facts on the red planet How big is Jupiter? How many moons does Saturn have? Does Uranus have rings? How many moons does Neptune have? How big is Pluto? How hot is the Sun? 5 HLX-1 is located on the outskirts off NGC 6099 galaxy Credit: NASA, ESA, Ralf Crawford (STScI 5 Astronomers are on the lookout for more disruption events of this kind Credit: NASA, ESA, Ralf Crawford (STScI
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory spots young exoplanet rapidly shrinking in rare cosmic meltdown 330 light-years away
Source: NASA In a distant corner of the universe, astronomers have identified a dramatic planetary event unfolding in real time. A young exoplanet , named TOI 1227 b, located about 330 light-years from Earth, is undergoing rapid atmospheric loss. Despite being just 8 million years old—a cosmic infant compared to Earth's 4.5 billion years—this gas planet is already showing signs of decay. Caught in a dangerously close orbit around a volatile red dwarf star, TOI 1227 b is being bombarded by powerful X-ray radiation that is stripping away its massive atmosphere. This rare glimpse into planetary evolution offers critical insights into the formation and fate of young exoplanets. NASA observes young exoplanet TOI 1227 b under severe atmospheric loss TOI 1227 b is not just young—it's also in a perilous position. Unlike Earth, which orbits the Sun at a safe distance, this exoplanet is located exceptionally close to its parent star, known as TOI 1227. Although the red dwarf is relatively small and cool compared to the Sun, it emits intense X-ray radiation, making it a hazardous environment for any planet caught nearby. This intense energy is bombarding TOI 1227 b relentlessly, causing it to shed its thick, gaseous shell at an alarming rate. Using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory , astronomers discovered that the host star's radiation is striking the planet with devastating effect. According to their findings, the planet is losing an atmosphere equivalent to Earth's every 200 years. Initially, TOI 1227 b had a size comparable to Jupiter, but scientists believe its mass is closer to Neptune's, suggesting the planet is inflated due to internal heat and external radiation. However, this bloated size is not expected to last—its atmosphere is evaporating quickly. No signs of habitability found on young exoplanet TOI 1227 b Researchers have ruled out the possibility of life or habitability on TOI 1227 b. The planet's proximity to the red dwarf means surface temperatures are extremely high, and water cannot exist in any stable form. With radiation constantly bombarding the planet, any life-supporting conditions are quickly destroyed. Over time, the exoplanet could shrink to just one-tenth of its original size, and may lose as much as two Earth masses of gas within the next billion years. To determine TOI 1227 b's age, scientists used stellar motion data, comparing the movement of the star system to known stellar age groups. They also examined the brightness and temperature profiles of the star to estimate its developmental stage. Among all exoplanets known to be under 50 million years old, TOI 1227 b stands out. It has the longest orbital year and is tethered to one of the smallest stars ever associated with a gas giant. NASA's Chandra mission helps unveil early planetary evolution in TOI 1227 b The discovery was led by Attila Varga of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), with contributions from scientists in Germany and the United States. Their research, which sheds new light on how young planets evolve and erode, is set to be published in The Astrophysical Journal. The Chandra X-ray Observatory, a flagship NASA mission operated by the Marshall Space Flight Center and managed in Massachusetts, played a crucial role in these observations. TOI 1227 b provides scientists with a rare opportunity to witness a planet in its early evolutionary stages, particularly one undergoing atmospheric loss due to stellar radiation. Understanding such transformations helps refine models of planetary formation, migration, and survival, especially in high-radiation environments near red dwarfs. As astronomers continue to track the evaporation of TOI 1227 b, this case could unlock answers to how common such scenarios are across the Milky Way. Also Read | Solar Eclipse August 2 will bring 6 minutes of total darkness; Check, date, time, and visibility areas for a once-in-100-years phenomenon
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Astronomers Discover Uncommon Way for Black Holes to Form
Artist's rendering of the James Webb Telescope in space Credit - Getty Images/iStockphoto NASA's James Webb Space Telescope continues to deliver the goods. Launched on Christmas Day, 2021, it has since sent back a storm of dazzling images and a trove of good science. Now Webb has done it again. As NASA reports, two astronomers working with raw Webb data the space agency periodically makes available to researchers, have found evidence of a fast-growing black hole in an unexpected place and formed in an unexpected way. What the two astronomers—Pieter van Dokkumum of Yale University and Gabriel Brammer of the University of Copenhagen—found was a pair of spiral galaxies that collided in space. Each galaxy has a black hole at its center that was already present before the collision and which emit a red glow surrounded by a ring of light and matter, giving the overall formation the shape of the infinity symbol. Van Dokkum and Brammer nicknamed the pair the Infinity Galaxy. What surprised them was that the formation was also home to a third, larger, supermassive black hole—one with the mass of perhaps one million suns. This black hole was not in the center of one or the other galaxy as a supermassive black hole should be, but rather in the mashup of dust and gasses between them. 'Everything is unusual about this galaxy,' said Van Dokkum, in an extensive description he wrote for NASA. 'Not only does it look strange, but it also has this supermassive black hole that's pulling a lot of material in.' Just how the object formed is unknown, but Van Dokkum and Brammer have two theories, called the 'light seeds' and 'heavy seeds' scenarios. In the light seeds version, a star explodes and its core collapses, forming a black hole with a mass of perhaps 1,000 suns. Over time, other nearby stars collapse and form their own black holes and finally all of the bodies merge to form one supermassive black hole. But that theory has a problem. 'The merger process takes time,' Van Dokkum says, 'and Webb has found incredibly massive black holes at incredibly early times in the universe—possibly even too early for the process to explain them.' That doesn't mean the light seeds scenario doesn't ever play out, but it does mean that it's not as common as astronomers may believe. In the heavy seeds scenario a supermassive black hole forms directly from the collapse of a large gas cloud. In the case of the Infinity Galaxy, this occurred during the collision, when the galactic gas was shocked and compressed by the violence of the cosmic crackup. 'This compression might just be enough to form a dense knot, which then compressed into a black hole,' Van Dokkum says. That process is also called a direct collapse black hole. Not only did a supermassive black hole form from this collision, that black hole is still growing. Radio and X-ray emissions confirmed by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and by the ground-based Very Large Array, confirm that the black hole is still pulling in prodigious amounts of dust and gas from its surroundings. Van Dokkum and Brammer prefer the heavy seeds scenario to explain what they found since it would be such a natural result of a galactic collision. 'By looking at the Infinity Galaxy, we think we have pieced together a story of how this could have happened here,' says Van Dokkum. But they concede that other, less likely occurrences could explain the supermassive black hole. For one thing, the body between the two galaxies in the Infinity Galaxy might be a runaway black hole that was ejected from its parent galaxy and is now passing through the Infinity Galaxy, and just happened to have been spotted by the Webb telescope during this relatively brief interregnum. Alternatively, the supermassive black hole might be at the center of a third galaxy that happens to be in the foreground of the same area of sky as the Infinity Galaxy. If that third galaxy were a dwarf galaxy, it might be faint enough that only the superheated gas and dust surrounding the black hole would be visible. But the researchers don't expect those theories to be borne out. If the black hole were a runaway, the velocity of the gasses flowing into it would likely be different from the velocity of the gasses in the Infinity Galaxy. While they haven't yet measured the speed of the gasses, they expect them to be similar. The idea that the black hole lies at the center of a dwarf galaxy can be dismissed almost out of hand since dwarf galaxies typically don't form black holes that big. All that is enough for the astronomers to claim at least a cautious victory in their discovery. 'We can't say definitively that we have found a direct collapse black hole,' says Van Dokkum. 'But we can say that these new data strengthen the case that we're seeing a newborn black hole while eliminating some of the competing explanations.' Write to Jeffrey Kluger at Solve the daily Crossword
