Why this messy black hole is still burping out a star it ate years ago
Scientists have discovered a supermassive black hole that is still emitting a powerful jet of material years after shredding a star. This unprecedented cosmic event is growing brighter and offers new insights into how black holes consume matter.
An artist's concept of a tidal disruption event that happens when a star passes fatally close to a supermassive black hole. (Photo: Reuters)
In a galaxy located 665 million light years away, a supermassive black hole is proving to be an incredibly messy eater. Astronomers have been watching this cosmic giant as it continues to belch out a fast-moving jet of material long after it finished its main course.
This unusual behaviour has shocked the scientific community because the black hole waited two years after its meal to start spitting out the remains.
advertisement
The black hole is doing this because the star’s shredded remains likely spent years settling into a stable swirling disk before powerful magnetic forces finally kicked them out into space as a high-speed jet.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A STAR GETS TOO CLOSE TO A BLACK HOLE?
When a star wanders too near a black hole, the gravitational pull is so intense that it literally pulls the star apart. This process is known as spaghettification. The star is stretched into a long, thin stream of gas.
While some of this material falls into the abyss, other parts are whipped around at high speeds.
In this specific case, the victim was a red dwarf star, which is a small, cool, dim star, about a 10th of the mass of our Sun.
Usually, if a black hole is going to launch a jet of debris, it happens almost immediately. However, this particular black hole stayed quiet for years before suddenly erupting.
WHY IS THIS COSMIC EVENT GROWING BRIGHTER EVERY DAY?
The jet of material has been shooting into space for six years now, and it shows no signs of slowing down.
It is currently about 50 per cent brighter than when it was first discovered.
Scientists from the University of Oregon and the University of Arizona note that this is one of the most powerful single events ever detected.
It is like a picky baby who chews her food and then violently spits it back out much later.
HOW LONG WILL THE BLACK HOLE CONTINUE TO BELCH?
Researchers suspect the brightness might peak later this year or in 2027. Even after it reaches its peak, the glow from this stellar encounter will likely be visible to our telescopes for another decade.
This discovery helps experts understand the complex magnetic fields and gravity that govern the most mysterious objects in our universe.
- Ends