NASA's Hubble and Chandra Telescopes Detect Rare Intermediate-Mass Black Hole Consuming a Star

Edytowane przez: Uliana S.

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory have identified a potential intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH) in the galaxy NGC 6099. This object, designated NGC 6099 HLX-1, is located on the outskirts of the galaxy, approximately 40,000 light-years from its center. The discovery was announced on July 24, 2025.

IMBHs, which are theorized to have masses between a few hundred and a few hundred thousand times that of the Sun, are challenging to detect due to their relatively low luminosity compared to stellar-mass and supermassive black holes. They are often identified when they interact with nearby stars, leading to tidal disruption events that produce significant radiation.

Observations indicate that NGC 6099 HLX-1 has exhibited X-ray emissions with temperatures around 3 million degrees Celsius, consistent with the energy expected from a tidal disruption event. Additionally, Hubble's imaging has revealed a compact star cluster surrounding the black hole, suggesting a potential source of material for accretion.

The detection of NGC 6099 HLX-1 provides valuable insights into the formation and evolution of black holes, particularly in understanding the transition between stellar-mass and supermassive black holes. Ongoing monitoring and future observations are expected to shed more light on the characteristics and behavior of this elusive class of cosmic objects.

Źródła

  • ANSA.it

  • NASA's Hubble, Chandra Spot Rare Type of Black Hole Eating a Star

  • Multi-wavelength study of a hyperluminous X-ray source near NGC 6099: a strong IMBH candidate

  • Individuato un raro buco nero di massa intermedia VIDEO

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