Biggest Discoveries Regarding Black Holes In 2023

1. ONE OF THE BIGGEST SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLES

One of the biggest supermassive black holes known to us is in the quasar TON 618. This black hole has a mass approximately 66 billion times that of the Sun, making it one of the most massive black holes ever discovered. It’s located in a distant, bright celestial object known as a quasar. The light from TON 618 took more than 10 billion years to reach us, so we see it as it was when the universe was less than a quarter of its current age. The study of these celestial giants is still an active field of research, and new discoveries are being made regularly. Please note that these measurements are estimates and can vary based on the method of measurement used.

2. SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLE SEEDS IN THE EARLY UNIVERSE

Discovery of Heavy Black Hole "Seeds" in the Early Universe

Astronomers have made an exciting discovery - they have found the first signs of heavy black hole "seeds" in the early universe. These seeds could potentially hold the key to understanding how supermassive black holes, with masses millions or even billions of times greater than that of our sun, were able to form in less than 1 billion years after the Big Bang.

What are Heavy Black Hole Seeds?

Heavy black hole seeds are believed to be black holes with masses approximately 40 million times that of our sun. Unlike regular black holes that are created when massive stars collapse, these seeds are thought to form directly from the collapse of enormous gas clouds. Galaxies that are believed to contain these heavy black hole seeds are known as Outsize Black Hole Galaxies (OBGs).

The Research Findings

The team leading this research, headed by Akos Bogdán from the Center for Astrophysics Harvard & Smithsonian, made their discovery while studying a quasar using two powerful telescopes - the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. During their investigation, they detected an object with a mass characteristic of black holes.

To validate their findings, the researchers compared their observations with simulations of the rapid growth of heavy black hole seeds. Remarkably, they found a strong correlation between the two, providing further evidence for the existence of these enigmatic objects.

Implications of the Discovery

If this discovery is confirmed, it could revolutionize our understanding of how supermassive black holes came into being. It suggests that some of the earliest black holes formed directly through gas collapse, bypassing any intermediate stages such as the birth and subsequent demise of massive stars.

This finding represents a significant milestone in unraveling the mysteries surrounding these cosmic behemoths and brings us one step closer to comprehending their origins.

3. SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLE MERGER CLOSE TO EARTH

Supermassive Black Holes: A Closer Look

Astronomers have made an exciting discovery - a pair of supermassive black holes that are closer to Earth than any others found before. These black holes are located in a galaxy called UGC 4211, which is approximately 500 million light-years away from us.

The Closest Pair of Black Holes

What makes these black holes even more remarkable is their proximity to each other. They are separated by a mere 750 light-years, making them the closest pair of black holes that scientists have been able to confirm through the measurement of multiple wavelengths of light.

Unprecedented Proximity and Potential

These two black holes, with masses estimated at 125 million and 200 million times that of the sun respectively, are growing side by side. Their unique position near Earth and each other presents an exceptional opportunity for studying significant aspects:

1. Giant Black Hole Mergers: The closeness of these black holes increases the likelihood of them eventually merging. This event could provide invaluable insights into the process of merging giant black holes.
2. Gravitational Waves: As these massive objects merge, they produce ripples in spacetime known as gravitational waves. These waves are notoriously difficult to detect but carry essential information about the nature of our universe.

Another Fascinating Discovery

In addition to this groundbreaking find, astronomers have also identified another pair of supermassive black holes named PKS 2131-021. However, these black holes are situated much farther away - approximately 9 billion light-years from Earth.

Unlike the close proximity of the UGC 4211 black holes, PKS 2131-021 has been gradually moving towards each other for around 100 million years. They now share a binary orbit, with the two black holes circling one another every two years or so. It is predicted that in about 10,000 years, these two black holes will merge, generating powerful gravitational waves that will ripple throughout the universe.

The Limitations of Measurement

It's important to note that the figures provided for the masses and distances of these black holes are estimates. The method used to measure them can introduce variations in the results. As technology advances and new techniques are developed, astronomers continue to refine their understanding of these celestial giants.

Ongoing Exploration

The study of supermassive black holes remains an active area of research, with new discoveries being made regularly. Through ongoing observation and analysis, scientists hope to uncover more secrets about these enigmatic cosmic entities and their role in shaping the universe.

4. ECHO OF SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLE'S MONSTROUS "BURP"

Astronomers have observed phenomena that can be described as “burps” from supermassive black holes. These burps are essentially outbursts of energy and matter that occur when a black hole consumes nearby material.

One notable example is the supermassive black hole in the galaxy SDSS J1354+1327 (or J1354, for short). This black hole has a history of “snacking” on material in its vicinity, then letting out “burps” of energy as a result. The team led by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder identified two separate burps, or outflow events: one ancient burp on the verge of dissipating and one hinting at a much more recent meal.

Another example is the supermassive black hole in the small galaxy NGC 5195. This is one of the nearest supermassive black holes to Earth that is currently undergoing such violent outbursts. Astronomers detected two arcs of X-ray emission close to the center of NGC 5195, which they believe represent fossils from two enormous blasts when the black hole expelled material outward into the galaxy.

These burps are significant because they can alter the evolution of galaxies and can trigger the formation of new stars. The study of these celestial giants is still an active field of research, and new discoveries are being made regularly.

5. "MILLION-LIGHT-YEAR-LONG JEDI LIGHTSABER" FROM A BLACK HOLE

The term "Million-light-year-long Jedi lightsaber" is a vivid description used by astrophysicists to describe the colossal energy jets expelled by black holes. These jets are akin to lightsabers due to their long, straight, and concentrated nature.

A team of astrophysicists at Princeton University made an intriguing discovery that challenges conventional understanding of black holes. They found that black holes, often thought to be cosmic voids relentlessly consuming everything in their vicinity, can actually lose energy. This concept aligns with Einstein's theory of relativity but contradicts popular belief.

How Black Holes Lose Energy

The energy dynamics of black holes are fascinating. Like a spinning top that gradually slows down, a rotating black hole loses energy to its surroundings. This energy loss, in turn, fuels the formation of colossal energy jets. These jets, as former Princeton postdoc Alexandru Lupsasca vividly describes, are akin to "million-light-year-long Jedi lightsabers". Their enormous size dwarfs even the size of our Milky Way galaxy.

Evidence from Messier 87 (M87*)

One such example is the black hole in the galaxy Messier 87 (M87*). The team conclusively determined that energy near the event horizon of the black hole in M87* is being expelled outward. This finding is a significant stride in validating the prediction that black holes lose rotational energy.

Implications and Future Research

This research not only provides a sharper prediction for energy transfer in astrophysical black holes, but also sets the stage for further exploration with the proposed "next generation" Event Horizon Telescope.

While the study has made significant headway, the team acknowledges that their model doesn't conclusively prove the black hole's spin as the sole power source of the extragalactic jet. The study of these celestial giants is still an active field of research, and new discoveries are being made regularly.

Please note that these measurements are estimates and can vary based on the method of measurement used.

M82 observed by the Hubble and Webb Telescopes

 Amid a site teeming with new and young stars lies an intricate substructure.

A team of astronomers used NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to study the starburst galaxy Messier 82 (M82). Situated 12 million light-years away in the Ursa Major constellation, this galaxy, though relatively small, is a hub of intense star formation. In comparison, M82 is producing new stars 10 times faster than the Milky Way. Led by Alberto Bolatto at the University of Maryland, College Park, the team focused Webb’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) on the galaxy's core, gaining insight into the conditions that support star formation. “M82 has been extensively studied over the years as a prime example of a starburst galaxy,” explained Bolatto, the study's lead author. “Both NASA’s Spitzer and Hubble space telescopes have observed it. With Webb’s capabilities, we can delve into this star-forming galaxy and uncover its intricate new features.”

A Vibrant Community of Stars
Star formation continues to maintain a sense of mystery because it is shrouded by curtains of dust and gas, creating an obstacle in observing this process. Fortunately, Webb’s ability to peer in the infrared is an asset in navigating these murky conditions. Additionally, these NIRCam images of the very center of the starburst were obtained using an instrument mode that prevented the very bright source from overwhelming the detector.
While dark brown tendrils of heavy dust are threaded throughout M82’s glowing white core even in this infrared view, Webb’s NIRCam has revealed a level of detail that has historically been obscured. Looking closer toward the center, small specks depicted in green denote concentrated areas of iron, most of which are supernova remnants. Small patches that appear red signify regions where molecular hydrogen is being lit up by a nearby young star’s radiation.
“This image shows the power of Webb,” said Rebecca Levy, second author of the study at the University of Arizona, Tucson. “Every single white dot in this image is either a star or a star cluster. We can start to distinguish all of these tiny point sources, which enables us to acquire an accurate count of all the star clusters in this galaxy.”
Finding Structure in Lively Conditions

Studying M82 in longer infrared wavelengths reveals clumpy tendrils in red extending above and below the galaxy’s plane. These gaseous streamers form a galactic wind emanating from the starburst core. The research team focused on understanding how this wind, driven by rapid star formation and subsequent supernovae, is launched and impacts the surrounding environment. By analyzing a central section of M82, scientists pinpointed the wind's origin and studied the interaction between hot and cold components within it. Webb’s NIRCam instrument effectively traced the galactic wind's structure through emissions from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), acting as sooty chemical molecules. Despite expectations, the PAH emission revealed a previously unknown fine structure of the galactic wind, depicted as red filaments extending from the central star-forming region. Surprisingly, the PAH emission showed similarities with that of hot, ionized gas. Bolatto noted, “It was unexpected to see the PAH emission resemble ionized gas. PAHs are not expected to survive long in such a strong radiation field, suggesting they may be continuously replenished. This challenges our theories, indicating further investigation is necessary.”

Merging black holes responsible for mysterious flickering quasar

Columbia researchers predict that a pair of converging supermassive black holes in the Virgo constellation will collide sooner than expected. Above, an artist’s conception of a merger. Illustration credit: P. Marenfeld/NOAO/AURA/NSF.

Earlier this year, astronomers found what seemed to be a pair of supermassive black holes heading towards a collision so strong it would generate a surge of gravitational waves through space-time. Now, in a study in the journal Nature, astronomers at Columbia University provide additional evidence that a pair of closely orbiting black holes is causing rhythmic flashes of light from quasar PG 1302-102. Based on calculations of the pair’s mass — together, and relative to each other — the researchers predict a collision 100,000 years from now, a long time for humans but a blink of an eye for a star or black hole. Spiraling together 3.5 billion light-years away, deep in the Virgo constellation, the pair is separated by a mere light-week. By contrast, the closest previously confirmed black hole pair is separated by 20 light-years.

“This is the closest we’ve come to observing two black holes on their way to a massive collision,” said the study’s senior author, Zoltan Haiman, an astronomer at Columbia. “Watching this process reach its culmination can tell us whether black holes and galaxies grow at the same rate, and ultimately test a fundamental property of space-time: its ability to carry vibrations called gravitational waves, produced in the last, most violent, stage of the merger.”

At the center of most giant galaxies, including our Milky Way, lies a supermassive black hole so dense that not even light can escape. Over time, black holes grow bigger — millions to billions times more massive than the Sun — by consuming stars, galaxies, and even other black holes. A supermassive black hole about to consume another can be detected by the mysterious flickering of a quasar, the beacon of light produced by black holes as they consume gas and dust swirling around them. Normally, quasars brighten and dim randomly, but when two black holes are about to unite, the quasar appears to flicker at regular intervals, like a light bulb on a timer.

Recently, a team led by Matthew Graham, a computational astronomer at the California Institute of Technology, designed an algorithm to identify repeating light signals from 247,000 quasars monitored by telescopes in Arizona and Australia. Of the 20 pairs of black hole candidates discovered, they focused on the most compelling bright quasar — PG 1302-102. In a January study in Nature, they showed that PG 1302-102 seemed to brighten by 14 percent every five years, indicating the pair was less than a tenth of a light-year apart.

Intrigued, Haiman and his colleagues wondered if they could build a theoretical model to explain the repeating signal. If the black holes were as close as predicted, one had to be circling a much larger counterpart at nearly a tenth of the speed of light, they hypothesized. At that speed, the smaller black hole would appear to brighten as it approached Earth’s line of sight under the relativistic Doppler beaming effect. If correct, they predicted they would find a five-year cycle in the quasar’s ultraviolet emissions — only two-and-a-half times more variable in its intensity. Analyzing UV observations collected by NASA’s Hubble and GALEX space telescopes, they found exactly that.

Previous explanations for the repeating signal include a warp in the debris discs orbiting the black holes, a wobble in the axis of one black hole, and a lopsided debris disc formed as one black hole draws material off the other — all creating the impression of a periodic flicker from Earth.

The new study introduces a novel method for studying the convergence of black holes, according to researchers. By determining the combined and relative mass of PG 1302-102's black holes, they have narrowed down the expected collision time for the pair to a range of 20,000 to 350,000 years from now, with the most likely estimate being around 100,000 years. (Previously, Graham's team had predicted a collision time of 10,000 to several million years from now, with a best estimate of 250,000 years). Study co-author David Schiminovich, an astronomer at Columbia, mentioned, "We are now able to quantify the rates at which black holes merge and form larger black holes, and this knowledge helps us in the search for more pairs of black holes." The increasing number of discoveries of binary black hole systems has raised hopes among astronomers that a collision may be observed within the next decade. Graham and his team recently reported 90 additional candidates, while astronomers at Columbia are expecting to announce their own findings soon based on data collected at California's Palomar Observatory. With a growing list of black holes under observation, the likelihood of witnessing a collision and detecting the gravitational waves predicted by Einstein's general theory of relativity, though not yet observed, is increasing. The lead author of the study, Daniel D'Orazio, a graduate student at Columbia, stated, "The detection of gravitational waves allows us to explore the mysteries of gravity and test Einstein's theory in the extreme environment of black holes. Achieving this goal is a major aspiration in our field."