A NASA spacecraft has spotted a massive black hole emitting bursts of X-rays that release a hundred times more energy than has been observed elsewhere

NASA spots black hole Ansky with X-ray bursts 100 times more energetic than usual.

: NASA's Swift X-ray space telescope and other missions detected a supermassive black hole named Ansky in galaxy SDSS1335+0728 bursting with unprecedentedly powerful X-ray flares. Ansky's eruptions, ten times longer and luminous than typical quasiperiodic eruptions, release energy a hundred times more than observed elsewhere and have a 4.5-day cadence. The European Space Agency contributed with XMM-Newton, alongside NASA's Chandra and archival data from eROSITA, to these significant findings. Erwan Quintin of ESA suggests further observations will complement data from LISA, set to launch in 2037, potentially revealing the cause of Ansky's emissions.

In an unprecedented finding, NASA's Swift X-ray space telescope revealed a supermassive black hole, previously dormant, lurking in the galaxy SDSS1335+0728 around 300 million light-years away, exhibiting unbelievably powerful X-ray bursts. Dubbed 'Ansky', this galactic nucleus awakened in late 2019, emitting the lengthiest and most luminous flares ever observed at regular 4.5-day intervals. These outbursts are classified as quasiperiodic eruptions (QPEs), representing events of significant cosmic interest as they release a hundredfold more energy compared to any previous observations, challenging existing models of X-ray generation from black holes.

Joheen Chakraborty of MIT detailed in official statements that Ansky's X-ray projections appear ten times longer and ten times brighter than any typical QPE. Until now, assumptions about quasiperiodic emissions involved black holes devouring celestial bodies like stars. However, the extreme energy levels exhibited by Ansky present a novel mystery, disjointed from known patterns of behaviors where massive black holes consume and dismantle nearby stars.

The comprehensive monitoring of Ansky's activity involved philanthropically supported efforts from multiple space missions. Besides NASA's Swift X-ray telescope, the European Space Agency (ESA) introduced their XMM-Newton and NASA further utilized the Chandra mission and archival data obtained from eROSITA to observe these eruptions. The involvement of international collaborations underscores the broad interest and scientific prowess necessary to decode enigmatic cosmic phenomena like Ansky's outbursts.

Erwan Quintin, serving as Research Fellow and X-ray astronomer for ESA, expressed intrigue regarding Ansky's unexplained emissions. Unlike previous cases where quasiperiodic outbursts were linked to black holes drawing in objects within their gravitational influence, Ansky portrays a divergent storyline. Quintin accentuated the potential significance of upcoming collaborations involving LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna), a joint ESA/NASA initiative slated for launch in 2037. Achieving a better understanding of Ansky's events through combined X-ray and gravitational wave data may open new frontiers in astrophysics.

The introduction of LISA will enable precise detection of gravitational waves, potentially accompanying the X-ray data from Ansky, unraveling complex behaviors of supermassive black holes. These colossal celestial structures lie at the heart of many galaxies, influencing cosmic evolution and universal mechanics on grand scales. Investigating Ansky empowers a deeper comprehension of black holes, advancing scientific knowledge and revealing the universe's latent mysteries.

Sources: Space.com, Nature Astronomy

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