A supermassive black hole at the center of a distant galaxy has been observed to power back on after a period of dormancy, emitting jets of hot gas into space. The event, which occurred in the galaxy 1ES 1927+654, approximately 270 million light-years away, is the first time such an event has been observed in human history. The black hole was quiet since flaring before suddenly resuming activity in 2018, which has mesmerized astronomers with its unusual behavior.
Jets erupt from supermassive black holes
According to a study published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, radio telescopes detected intense bursts of radio waves, indicating an active black hole. Images taken from a network of telescopes in the US revealed jets of plasma erupting from both sides of the black hole, traveling at about a third the speed of light, Live Science reports. The appearance of these jets has surprised researchers, as such an event was unexpected after years of inactivity. Eileen Meyer, associate professor of physics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, who led the radio observations, noted during an American Astronomical Society (AAS) press conference. On January 13, the black hole’s sudden change from “radio quiet” to “radio loud” was a surprising and unprecedented development.
Unexplained X-ray activity and possible star interactions
Astronomers have been monitoring this particular black hole since it unexpectedly flared up in 2018. During this time, its X-ray emission became exceptionally intense, but these fluctuations were followed by an equally sudden decline. However, in 2022, the X-ray signals began oscillating at regular intervals. Researchers speculate that a white dwarf star, possibly orbiting close to the black hole’s event horizon, could interact with it, shedding material that fuels the black hole’s activity. These findings were also discussed during the American Astronomical Society (AAS) conference.
Future studies and potential discoveries
The continued behavior of this black hole may provide valuable insight into the interactions between the black hole and nearby stars. Gravitational waves may also be detected by the presence of a possible white dwarf, which could be detected by the upcoming Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) to be launched in 2035. These observations will be important in unraveling the mysteries surrounding black hole dynamics. ,
