NASA's Hubble detects a massive black hole wandering outside its galaxy
Hidden 600 million light-years away in the vastness of space from our naked eye sight lies a sneaky giant that's eating up any unsuspecting star that ventures too close. This
black hole
made everyone remember its presence in a flashy tidal disruption event (TDE), tearing apart and consuming an unsuspecting star, emitting a huge blast of radiation. These TDEs are excellent tests of black hole behavior, giving us a glimpse into the brutal environment when a black hole is accreting.
Operation Sindoor
IPL 2025 suspended as India-Pakistan tensions escalate
Pakistan appeals for loans citing 'heavy losses', later says X account hacked
Can Pakistan afford a war with India? Here's a reality check
The radiation produced is bright enough that it can be detected by telescopes, lighting up the otherwise black space.
Hubble detects first tidal event from a rogue supermassive black hole
The latest TDE, AT2024tvd, was noticed by an assortment of telescopes, headed by NASA's
Hubble Space Telescope
. This sighting was a revelation for astronomers, as it verified the presence of a rogue
supermassive black hole
. Verification by corroborating evidence acquired by the
NASA
Chandra X-Ray Observatory and the NRAO Very Large Array telescope showed that the black hole was not resting at the center of the galaxy, where such things normally reside. Instead, it was at some distance from the galactic center.
As the star is drawn in during TDE, it is sucked into the black hole's powerful gravitational pull, stretched out like spaghetti—a process known as "spaghettification." The remains of the star are then drawn into an accretion disk, where it disintegrates very rapidly, emitting high-energy radiation. This effect can be observed in a range of wavelengths of light, from ultraviolet to X-rays. Here, the AT2024tvd TDE is historic because it records the first time that a tidal disruption event occurred away from the center of the galaxy.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
2025: Steel Suppliers From Mexico At Lowest Prices (Take A Look)
Steel Suppliers | search ads
Search Now
Undo
Hubble reveals tidal event far from galaxy's center
It is so fascinating because of the location of the black hole. Supermassive black holes were found to reside at the core of galaxies, where they have been actively consuming. But this prankster black hole is around 1 million solar masses in weight, not even close to the central supermassive black hole whose weight is around 100 million solar mass. Surprisingly, the TDE event happened around 2,600 light-years away from the center black hole, not much more than the distance of the Sun from the Milky Way center.
Despite this nomadic black hole, there exists a second supermassive black hole residing in the galaxy's center. The central black hole is currently accreting gas within the area and is an active galactic nucleus. Interestingly enough, the two black holes are not gravitationally locked together, nor are they a binary system. While it is conceivable that the smaller black hole will stray towards the interior in the distant future and smash into the larger black hole, currently it is traveling on its own orbit, lost somewhere in the galaxy.
How did this black hole end up here
The origin of this straying black hole is not known. It is one of the factors the black hole was ejected from the galactic center because of three-body interaction, a process during which the lightest black hole in a group is ejected out of the galactic center upon an encounter. It could also be the remains of a compact galaxy that had merged and crashed into the parent galaxy a billion years ago and placed the black hole in a far-flung corner. Despite the lack of direct evidence for such a merger, it is an intriguing side to this finding.
The AT2024tvd TDE is just one illustration of the ability to detect the hidden black holes in the shape of tidal disruption events. Witnessing these temporary events, the scientists can make more new observations concerning the black holes that are otherwise not visible through regular observations. As next-generation telescopes like the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope come on line in the not-too-distant future, astronomers will possess ever more powerful instruments to bring to bear on the study and comprehension of these mysterious cosmic phenomena. AT2024tvd's discovery is a milestone along the way to discovering rogue black holes—and one with the power to revolutionize our understanding of
galaxy formation
and black hole behavior.
A new age of exploration
As scientists learn more about what rogue black holes are and how they fit into galactic evolution, it's guaranteed that tidal disruption events will provide a treasure trove of new data. As technology becomes faster and there are more powerful telescopes available, the universe will continue to reveal its secrets and give us a better idea of what forces mold our universe.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
Space Station To Fly Over India: A Guide To Spotting The Orbiting Lab
New Delhi: For over two decades, the International Space Station (ISS) has circled our planet, serving as a beacon of scientific collaboration and human ingenuity. Orbiting at a blistering speed of 28,000 kilometers per hour, the ISS completes one revolution around Earth every 90 minutes, offering astronauts on board 16 sunrises and sunsets each day. But for those of us on the ground, catching a glimpse of this marvel is not only possible - it's easier than ever, thanks to NASA's "Spot the Station" mobile app and other Apps like ISS Detector. Why Spot the Station? The ISS is more than just a spacecraft - it's a symbol of international cooperation. Built and operated by the United States, Russia, Canada, Japan, and the European Space Agency (ESA), the station has hosted astronauts from 23 countries and supported over 4,400 scientific experiments from researchers in 109 nations. It's a floating laboratory that has cost over $150 billion to make and is a testbed for future missions to the Moon and Mars, and a platform for Earth science and technology development. Spotting the ISS from Earth connects everyday people to this extraordinary endeavour. It's a reminder that space exploration isn't confined to rocket scientists and astronauts - it belongs to all of us. Incidentally, one can also spot the Chinese space station named 'Tiangong', which was launched in 2021. When and where to look The ISS is visible from Earth because it reflects sunlight, much like the Moon. However, unlike the Moon, it's not bright enough to be seen during the day. The best viewing opportunities occur within a few hours before or after sunrise or sunset when the station is illuminated by the Sun but the sky is dark enough for it to stand out. During these twilight windows, the ISS appears as a bright, fast-moving object - similar to a star or airplane but without flashing lights or changes in direction. It typically crosses the sky in just a few minutes, so timing is crucial. A quick guide to spot the ISS in India July 7: 8.48 pm to 8.55 pm July 8: 4.59 am to 5.05 am; 7.59 pm to 8.06 pm; 9.38 pm to 9.41 pm July 9: 4.10 am to 4.16 am; 8.48 pm to 8.53 pm July 10: 3.22 am to 3.27 am; 4.58 am to 5.04 am; 7.59 pm to 8.05 pm July 11: 2.34 am to 2.36 am; 4.09 am to 4.15 am July 12: 7.59 pm to 8.03 pm Between July 24 to August 1, there will be many passes of the ISS over India. NASA's 'Spot the Station' app and the ISS Detector app provide detailed sighting information, including: Time: When the station will be visible in our local time zone. Duration: How long it will be visible before it dips below the horizon. Maximum Height: The elevation angle from the horizon (0 degrees is the horizon, 90 degrees is directly overhead). Appears/Disappears: Compass directions indicating where the station will enter and exit your field of view. The 'Spot the Station' mobile app Available for free on both iOS and Android, the Spot the Station app and ISS Detector app are a powerful tool for space enthusiasts and casual observers alike. It offers: Push Notifications: Alerts for upcoming viewing opportunities tailored to your exact location. Augmented Reality (AR): A virtual overlay that helps you locate the station in the sky using your phone's camera and compass. Live Tracking: A real-time map showing the ISS's current position as it orbits Earth. The app is designed to be user-friendly and accessible worldwide. It supports multiple languages. Users can customize notification settings to receive alerts that match their preferences and location. Tips for a great viewing experience To maximize your chances of spotting the ISS: Choose the Right Time: Use the apps to find sightings during twilight hours. Find a Clear View: Go to an open area away from tall buildings and trees. Look Up Quickly: The station moves fast - faster than any airplane - so be ready. Use AR Mode: Let your phone guide you with its augmented reality overlay. Wave hello: Astronauts often encourage viewers to wave as the station passes overhead. No telescope is needed. The ISS is visible to the naked eye. It's one of the brightest objects in the night sky when conditions are right. Behind the scenes: Tracking the ISS NASA's flight controllers at the Johnson Space Center in Houston monitor the ISS's trajectory using sophisticated software and real-time data. The station's path is influenced by atmospheric drag and orbital manoeuvres, so its position is updated frequently. NASA shares this data publicly in formats compatible with commercial spaceflight software, allowing enthusiasts and developers to integrate ISS tracking into their projects. A shared human achievement Spotting the ISS is more than a fun activity - it's a moment of connection. As you gaze up at the station, you're witnessing a living symbol of global cooperation today there are eleven astronauts from 6 countries at the space station. The astronauts on board represent a commitment to science, exploration, and unity. Whether you're in Noida, Nagpur, New York, or Nairobi, the station's flyover is a shared experience that transcends borders. Each of us 140 crore Indians have spent close to Rs 4 each to have Astronaut Shukla in space, so use your investment and relish the moment. If all goes well by 2035 the watch party will be for our own Bhartiya Antarisksha Station. Shubhanshu Shukla's view of Earth In a moment that will be etched in the annals of India's space history, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a conversation with Gaganyatri Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is the first Indian astronaut to reach the International Space Station (ISS). PM Modi expressed the collective pride of 140 crore Indians, stating, "Today you are farthest from your motherland, but you are closest to the hearts of Indians". When asked about his first thoughts upon seeing space, Mr Shukla shared a profound realisation: "From space, you don't see any borders. The Earth looks united." He emphasised the vastness of India, which appears much larger from orbit than on a map, and spoke of the deep sense of unity and shared humanity that space evokes. "Bharat Looks Bhavya" (Bharat looks grand)," said Group Captain Shukla, adding that it brings back a flashback to what Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma said in 1984 about India as being 'sarre jahan se achha'! Mr Shukla described his journey to the ISS as not just a personal achievement but a symbolic leap for the entire country. "This small journey from Earth to 400 kilometers above is not only mine - it is the journey of our country," he said. Reflecting on his childhood, he shared that he never imagined becoming an astronaut, but under the current leadership, India now offers such dreams a chance to become reality. The conversation then turned philosophical as PM Modi remarked on the ancient Indian tradition of undertaking a 'parikrama' and Mr Shukla was actually doing a circumambulation or orbiting the Earth, and asked what part of the planet Mr Shukla was currently passing over. Though Mr Shukla didn't have the exact coordinates, he said a little while ago they had passed over Hawaii. He also described the awe-inspiring experience of orbiting the Earth 16 times a day, witnessing as many sunrises and sunsets. Traveling at 28,000 kilometers per hour, he noted, adding with a tinge of national pride, suggesting, "This speed shows how fast our country is moving forward."
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Earth's largest camera will sweep the sky like never before
The LSST Camera A top a mountain in Chile, where the days are dry and nights are clear, a team of scientists and engineers is preparing for one of the most important astronomical missions in recent times. Among them is Kshitija Kelkar , whose life has taken an interesting turn. Twenty years ago in Pune, the city she's originally from, Kelkar sent a photo of a lunar eclipse she had taken with a digital camera to Sky and Telescope , a popular astronomy magazine. The publication accepted the photo and released it on its website under 'Photo of the Week'. Inspired, Kelkar would turn astronomy into a career, and after degrees from Fergusson College, Pune University, University of Nottingham and doctoral work on how galaxies transform in their clusters, she arrived in Chile on a grant to use telescopes for her research. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Providers are furious: Internet access without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Today, years after that photo she took on a tiny camera, she's an observing specialist at the Vera C Rubin Observatory, looking at the sky through the largest digital camera ever assembled. On June 23, that camera released a set of photos that stunned astronomers. Caught in unprecedented detail were galaxy clusters, distant stars and nebulae. In one photo, the camera — the size of a car with a resolution of 3.2 gigapixels — snapped a nebula around 4,000 light years away. The Rubin observatory could even save Earth. In May, within just 10 hours, it found 2,104 previously undetected asteroids. Since its telescope takes images in quick succession, it's able to catch moving objects from the crowd of stars in the background that tend to stay in place. If even one space rock is headed our way, chances are first alerts would come from Rubin. Humanity does have other powerful telescopes. There's James Webb , for instance, 1.5 million kilometres away from Earth with its own very dark sky. But it's mainly for zooming into specific targets. There's James Webb's predecessor, Hubble, currently in orbit over 500km above Earth. In 1995, it took Hubble nearly a week of long exposure to generate the now-famous Hubble Deep Field image, which showed about 3,000 very distant galaxies. The Rubin Observatory, during its first test run in April, generated an image that revealed 10 million galaxies, in a matter of hours. Part of the reason why it could do that is its very mission. Unlike James Webb and Hubble, which take in small parts of the sky, Rubin is a survey telescope, which means it shows the entire big picture, not specific objects. An image it takes covers a swathe of sky equivalent to 40 full moons — Webb's cameras show a size lesser than a full moon. A single photo from Rubin is so large, one would need 400 ultra-HD TV screens to see it in its full glory. Large is ideal, given Rubin's purpose. Its primary optical instrument, named Simonyi Survey Telescope, is set to embark on a 10-year project called the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), to map the visible sky in extraordinary detail. The telescope is more than 300 tonnes of steel and glass, which is regularly cleaned using CO 2 . Over the next decade, this telescope and the giant LSST camera will take photos of the southern hemisphere sky, every 3-4 nights, to create the largest time-lapse film of the Universe ever made. Why time-lapse? Imagine you're on the terrace of your building with a camera pointed at your neighbourhood. Time-lapse would reveal the windows that opened, the lights that came on, the cars and curtains that moved and the doors that opened. Rubin observatory will do that to the Universe, find new objects and previously unknown interactions between them. 'We're going to be continuously taking 30-second images all night in different filters,' said Kelkar. 'And since we'll be observing the night sky every 30 seconds, in two back-to-back images of 15 seconds each, we'll catch any object that has changed its position or brightness.' These objects may be stars, asteroids, unnamed comets and even potential sources of gravitational waves. This is where Kelkar said it would be unfair to compare Earth's telescopes — they're meant to complement each other, not compete. Scientists, amateur astronomers and space enthusiasts the world over can sink their teeth into this data. 'People once thought the Earth was at the centre of the system. But then someone came along and said 'no, it's the Sun'. Similarly, we may find something absolutely mind-boggling, even evidence of life elsewhere,' Arvind Paranjpye, director of Nehru Planetarium in Mumbai, said. Kelkar has been at Rubin for over a year, living in the town of La Serena — a twohour drive away. Her commute to work is through scenic valleys and along the 'El Camino de las Estrellas', or the 'Route to the Stars', because of the number of astronomical observatories along the way. The route also needs light discipline, which means those driving there after dark cannot really use full-beam headlights. 'We usually have our hazard lights up,' said Kelkar. At the observatory, work begins shortly before sunset. After a check of all systems, by Kelkar and the rest of the observing specialists, they open Rubin's massive dome for night operations. The observatory's placement atop the Cerro Pachón mountain puts it well above the localised turbulent layer where warm air mixes with cooler air from above, offering a clear view of the stars. Right now, trials are on as crews perform final checks before Rubin, 20 years in the making with $800 million in construction costs, formally begins its survey later in 2025. The Legacy Survey of Space and Time will be of unprecedented scale. Remember that image Rubin released of 10 million galaxies? Well, they make up just 0.05% of nearly 20 billion galaxies the observatory will have imaged when LSST ends in a decade. Rubin may see millions of distant stars ending in supernovae and into new reaches of our own Milky Way galaxy. Some 10 million alerts to scientists are expected from the observatory every night — whenever a change is detected in the series of photos it takes. Software will automatically compare new images with the stack of older ones. If an object has moved in those photos, flashed, exploded or streaked past, the software will detect the changes and dispatch an alert, all within minutes. There's no other telescope that can do these things — detect real-time changes in the immediate sky and flashes of light from distant objects, and at such scale. In just one year, Rubin observatory will have detected more asteroids than all other telescopes combined. There's more. The Simonyi Survey Telescope, set up on a special mount, is also fast. It can quickly swivel from one wide area of sky to another — within five seconds. Nothing will miss this allseeing eye. Kelkar said word has already been sent out to experts worldwide to investigate the 2,104 newly detected asteroids. 'The telescope will be a game-changer,' she added, 'because we're giving a common dataset for all kinds of science at once. We don't need specialised observations. It's one data for all.' Kelkar was in the control room at La Serena when the first images landed. 'Twenty years of people's professional lives had come down to that moment. We're about to make a 10-year movie of the night sky, with the fastest telescope and the biggest camera ever made. It's going to be fantastic,' she said. LAST WEEK ' S QUICK QUIZ Question on June 30: Challenging the belief that oxygen is produced only through photosynthesis, scientists have found polymetallic nodules deep in the ocean producing oxygen. What's this oxygen called? Answer: It's called 'dark' oxygen Earth's Largest Camera Will Sweep The Sky Like Never Before
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Who are the Africanized ‘killer bees' spreading across the U.S.?
Across parts of the U.S., a hybrid bee species is turning everyday moments—like mowing the lawn or hiking a trail—into near-deadly encounters. Africanized honey bees, commonly (and ominously) known as 'killer bees,' have slowly spread into 13 U.S. states, leaving behind a growing list of victims and warnings. They look nearly identical to the gentle European honeybees we rely on for pollination, but don't be fooled—these bees don't back down. As per a report by USA TODAY, in the past few months alone, these bees have been responsible for several terrifying incidents: a man was fatally attacked while mowing his lawn, three hospitalized after disturbing a tree-bound hive, hikers were chased a mile, and three horses killed after being swarmed by thousands of stings. Why are these bees so aggressive? Scientists say the bees' temperament is a defense mechanism to ward off predators. And since honey bees die after stinging, these acts are sacrificial, meant to protect their colony. But to unsuspecting humans, killer bees sure seem aggressive, spiteful, and terrifying. They've been known to follow victims for up to a mile—even chasing cars and trucks—and can sting through regular beekeeping suits. How did they get here? Africanized honeybees are a cross between Western honeybees from Europe and East African lowland honeybees. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Though they look like European honeybees, they are known for their aggressive defensive behavior, including swarming, pursuing intruders over longer distances, and attacking in larger groups. Africanized honeybees first arrived in South America in 1956. A Brazilian geneticist, Warwick Kerr, brought East African lowland honeybees to Brazil to hybridize with Western honeybees. A year later, 26 Africanized queen bees were accidentally released into a nearby forest, and they thrived. The hybrid species reached South Texas in 1990 and has been moving northward ever since. Where are they found now? Africanized honeybees are now present in 13 states, mainly across the South and Southwest. Feral colonies are common in Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and especially Texas. They've also been seen in southwest Arkansas, southern Utah, and about two-thirds of Oklahoma, according to Allen Szalanski, professor of entomology at the University of Arkansas. They prefer warm, dry climates and don't survive in areas with cold winters or high rainfall, creating natural geographic limits. How dangerous are Africanized bees? Their danger lies not in the venom itself, but in the numbers. A Western honeybee colony might defend itself with a few dozen stings. But Africanized bees? They send out hundreds or even thousands. Each bee dies after stinging, but collectively, the attack can be fatal. Researchers say the LD50 (lethal dose for 50% of people) is about nine stings per pound of body weight. So for someone weighing 150 pounds, 1,350 stings could be deadly—a real possibility with Africanized swarms. What should you do if you encounter them? Run. Don't swat. Don't jump into water. Just run. Tethered pets or livestock are at greater risk, as they can't escape. Loud machinery like mowers can also put people in danger by agitating nearby colonies without warning.
