Latest news with #LaserInterferometerSpaceAntenna
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
The Universe's Missing Black Holes May Have Been Located
For decades, astronomers have theorized that black holes fall into three broad categories. There are the stellar-mass black holes, which range from five to 50 times the mass of our Sun. Then, there are supermassive black holes (SMBHs), which are millions to billions of times more massive than the Sun. Finally, there are intermediate black holes (IMBHs), with masses that fall somewhere in between. Whereas scientists have observed plenty of stellar mass black holes and SMBHs, evidence of IMBHs has been a lot harder to come by. That has posed a problem: IMBHs are thought to be the transitional bridge between stellar black holes and SMBHs as they grow, a glaring 'missing link' in black hole evolution. In a series of new studies, an international team led by researchers from Vanderbilt University's Lunar Labs Initiative (LLI) has announced that it may have found evidence of these elusive objects. In one of the papers, a team led by astronomers Krystal Ruiz-Rocha and Anjali Yolkier describes how the researchers reanalyzed data from the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) and the Virgo Collaboration to search for possible indications of IMBH mergers. The results indicate that these observatories recorded gravitational wave events that correspond to mergers between black holes that were 100 to 300 solar masses. This makes these events the largest black hole collisions recorded by astronomers, and places them in the range where they expect lightweight IMBHs to be. "Black holes are the ultimate cosmic fossils," says astronomer and senior author Karan Jani. "The masses of black holes reported in this new analysis have remained highly speculative in astronomy. This new population of black holes opens an unprecedented window into the very first stars that lit up our Universe." In related research, scientists showed how the upcoming Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission, which is scheduled to launch in the late 2030s, could help verify these results. Whereas detectors like LIGO and Virgo can capture the final stages of a black hole collision, LISA will be able to track them for years before they merge as they spiral in towards each other, generating ripples in space-time. This extended observational timeframe will allow astronomers to learn more about the black holes' origin, evolution, and what will become of them. "We hope this research strengthens the case for intermediate-mass black holes as the most exciting source across the network of gravitational-wave detectors from Earth to space," says Ruiz-Rocha. "Each new detection brings us closer to understanding the origin of these black holes and why they fall into this mysterious mass range." Looking ahead, the team plans to explore how IMBH could be observed using gravitational wave observatories on the Moon. NASA is exploring the possibility of building just such an observatory on the Moon as part of the Artemis program's long-term objectives. This plan has existed since the Apollo Era and would build on the Lunar Surface Gravimeter experiment left behind by the Apollo 17 astronauts. "This is an exciting moment in history – not just to study black holes, but to bring scientific frontiers together with the new era of space and lunar exploration," says Jani. "We have a rare opportunity to train the next generation of students whose discoveries will be shaped by, and made from, the Moon." The findings are reported in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, with supporting research published in The Astrophysical Journal, here, here, and here. Mysteriously Magnetic Moon Rocks Might Have an Explosive Origin Story Fiery Orange Gems From The Moon Reveal Secrets of Its Violent Past A Giant Hole Just Opened in The Sun – And It's Blasting Earth With Solar Wind
The Independent
26-02-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Scottish labs receive £10m for space mission to study cosmic ripples
Scottish research laboratories are set to benefit from £10 million in funding for a European mission to deploy spacecraft which will measure ripples in the fabric of spacetime. The European Space Agency (ESA) project involves deploying three spacecraft which will orbit the sun more than 60 million kilometres from Earth, forming a triangle with sides 2.5 million kilometres long. The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (Lisa) project will use lasers, routed through optical benches made at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh site, to measure gravitational waves. These waves are tiny distortions in spacetime caused by cosmic events such as the merging of black holes or supernovae. It is hoped the mission, which is not expected to launch until after 2035 and will cost more than £1 billion, will provide scientists with a better understanding of some of physics' greatest mysteries. The £10 million funding will go towards creating new lab spaces at the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC), which will double its construction capabilities. Due to the vast distances involved in the study, the benches must be built to an exacting degree of precision. Production of the benches has already begun, using a technique known as robotically-assisted bonding which places components with the accuracy of a micron – one millionth of a millimetre. Ten optical benches will be required including prototypes and spares, a meticulous process which will take around eight years. Paul Bate, chief executive of the UK Space Agency, said: 'With major contributions to the James Webb Space Telescope and this new investment in Lisa, Scotland is at the heart of two of humanity's most important and innovative space science missions. 'The scale of the engineering challenge associated with Lisa is staggering – it is a flagship mission for Europe and it will be made possible by expertise in Edinburgh and Glasgow. 'This is a great example of how our leading role in ESA is delivering jobs and discovery for UK science.' Ewan Fitzsimons, UK principal investigator for Lisa at UK ATC, said: 'This investment in labs and staff will enable us to meet the exacting standards required for this groundbreaking project. 'It not only enhances our technical capabilities but also underscores the critical role of precision engineering in complex space missions such as Lisa.'
