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NASA Finds ‘Sideways’ Black Hole Using Legacy Data, New Techniques

December 18, 2024 NeRD

4 Min Read NASA Finds ‘Sideways’ Black Hole Using Legacy Data, New Techniques Image showing the structure of galaxy NGC 5084, with data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory overlaid on a visible-light image of the galaxy. Chandra’s data, shown in purple, revealed four plumes of hot gas emanating from a supermassive black hole rotating “tipped over” at the galaxy’s core. Credits: X-ray: NASA/CXC, A. S. Borlaff, P. Marcum et al.; Optical full image: M. Pugh, B. Diaz; Image Processing: NASA/USRA/L. Proudfit NASA researchers have discovered a perplexing case of a black hole that appears to…

Stellar Beads on a String

February 21, 2024 NeRD

Galaxy cluster SDSS J1531+3414 X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO/O. Omoruyi et al.; Optical: NASA/ESA/STScI/G. Tremblay et al.; Radio: ASTRON/LOFAR; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/N. Wolk Astronomers have discovered one of the most powerful eruptions from a black hole ever recorded in the system known as SDSS J1531+3414 (SDSS J1531 for short). As explained in our press release, this mega-explosion billions of years ago may help explain the formation of a striking pattern of star clusters around two massive galaxies, resembling “beads on a string.” SDSS J1531 is a massive galaxy cluster containing hundreds of individual galaxies and huge reservoirs of hot gas and dark…

NASA Collaborating on European-led Gravitational Wave Observatory in Space

January 25, 2024 NeRD

4 min read NASA Collaborating on European-led Gravitational Wave Observatory in Space The LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) mission, led by ESA (European Space Agency) with NASA contributions, will detect gravitational waves in space using three spacecraft, separated by more than a million miles, flying in a triangular formation. Lasers fired between the satellites, shown in this artist’s concept, will measure how gravitational waves alter their relative distances. AEI/MM/Exozet The first space-based observatory designed to detect gravitational waves has passed a major review and will proceed to the construction of…

Where Did the First Quasars Come From?

July 7, 2022 NeRD

New research shows how black holes with tens of thousands of Suns’ worth of mass can form in the universe’s early years. The post Where Did the First Quasars Come From? appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

Monstrous Black Holes Spin More Slowly — But Why?

July 6, 2022 NeRD

X-ray observations add to growing evidence that the most massive black holes have a different past than their lightweight peers. The post Monstrous Black Holes Spin More Slowly — But Why? appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

These Two Black Hole Behemoths Will Merge in 10,000 Years

February 28, 2022 NeRD

Astronomers have discovered a pair of supermassive black holes that whirl around each other every two years. The post These Two Black Hole Behemoths Will Merge in 10,000 Years appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

Supermassive Black Hole Hides Behind a Ring of Dust

February 16, 2022 NeRD

A high-resolution infrared image has revealed a dust screen obscuring a gas-devouring supermassive black hole in the center of the galaxy NGC 1068, confirming 30-year-old predictions. The post Supermassive Black Hole Hides Behind a Ring of Dust appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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