Scientists have recorded the awakening of a giant black hole for the first time.

For the first time, scientists have recorded the awakening of a supermassive black hole in real time.

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This was reported by the press service of the European Southern Observatory (ESO).

At the end of 2019, the previously unremarkable galaxy SDSS1335+0728 suddenly began to shine brighter than ever before. To understand why, astronomers used data from several space-based and ground-based observatories… to track how the galaxy’s brightness is changing, the report said.

As a result of their research, scientists have concluded that they are witnessing changes that have not been seen before in the galaxy – this is likely the result of the sudden awakening of a supermassive black hole at its core.

Imagine that you spent years observing a distant galaxy, and it always seemed calm and inactive, scientists say. “Suddenly it (the core – ed.) begins to show sharp changes in brightness, unlike any typical events that we have seen before. That’s what happened with SDSS1335+0728, which is now classified as having an “active galactic nucleus” (AGN) – a bright, compact region powered by a massive black hole.

It is noted that certain phenomena, such as supernova explosions or tidal phenomena, when a star comes too close to a black hole and is torn apart, can cause galaxies to suddenly burst into flames.

But these fluctuations in brightness typically last only a few tens or at least a few hundred days, and while SDSS1335+0728 is still brightening today, more than four years after it was first seen to “switch on” .

In addition, the changes detected in a galaxy located in the earth’s sky in the constellation Virgo at a distance of 300 million light years from us are unlike any previously recorded:

• SDSS1335+0728 now emits much more light in the ultraviolet, optical and infrared ranges;
• in February 2024, the galaxy began emitting X-rays.

The most tangible explanation for this phenomenon is that we see how (the core – ed.) of the galaxy begins to show… activity, the researchers note. “If so, this will be the first time we have seen a massive black hole activate in real time.”

Massive black holes—with masses a hundred thousand times greater than our Sun—exist at the center of most galaxies, including the Milky Way.

This is something that could happen to our own supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A*, located at the center of our galaxy, but it is unclear how likely it is to happen, the university press service notes.

Source: Racurs

David

I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.