Astronomers Observe a Black Hole in Another Galaxy Tearing a Star Apart - Universe Today
Astronomers have captured a dramatic stellar death created by a supermassive black hole in a galaxy about 600 million light-years away. Unlike typical tidal disruption events (TDEs) that occur near galactic centres, this particular black hole disrupted a star roughly 2,600 light-years from its host galaxy’s centre—marking the first time such an event has been seen off-centre. Using a network of powerful telescopes including the VLA, ALMA and AMI-LA, researchers detected unusually strong and rapidly evolving radio emissions. The signals revealed a double-peaked outflow, indicating the star’s remnants were ejected in separate bursts over time. This discovery challenges existing ideas about where black holes can actively devour stars and how these events unfold in their aftermath.
The Key points
- The event was located in a galaxy about 600 million light-years distant.
- A supermassive black hole pulled apart a star around 2,600 light-years from its galactic centre.
- This marks the first observed TDE so far from a galaxy’s core.
- The radio emission from the event evolved faster than any previously recorded.
- Observations revealed a “double-peaked” outflow—two distinct bursts of material.
- Data were gathered from multiple major radio facilities (VLA, ALMA, AMI-LA etc.).
- The findings suggest black holes may roam or act outside central galactic regions.
- The aftermath of the disruption appears more complex and delayed than expected.
- The discovery implies that black holes can become re-active after dormancy.
- This event expands our understanding of where and how stellar death by black hole can occur.
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