Absorbs amount of gas and dust equal to the mass of the Sun: scientists discover new supermassive black hole
Astronomers have stumbled upon a monster among black holes - a giant that eats the equivalent of one solar mass every day. This insatiable absorber of matter, located in the center of the quasar J0529-4351, has a mass 17 billion times that of the Sun and is growing at an incredible rate close to the Eddington limit.
According to scientists, J0529-4351 absorbs matter at a rate of about 370 solar masses per year. This is almost the maximum rate at which a black hole can "eat" without losing the absorbed matter under the influence of its own radiation. This is reported by Science Alert.
"If the rate of matter absorption continues to increase, the black hole will begin to shine so brightly that the radiation pressure will push the matter out, preventing it from falling," the astronomers explain.
The discovery of J0529-4351 challenges current understanding of the formation of supermassive black holes. It is only about 1.5 billion years old, making it one of the youngest and most massive black holes ever discovered. This suggests that the process of forming such monsters can be much faster than previously thought.
"The study of J0529-4351 can help us better understand how supermassive black holes form and grow," the scientists say.
The quasar in which J0529-4351 is located is located at a distance of 13 billion light-years from Earth and is one of the brightest objects in the Universe. Its glow is powered by the enormous energy released as matter falls into a black hole.
The discovery of J0529-4351 sheds new light on the evolution of black holes and the early Universe. This suggests that these majestic objects could form and grow much faster than previously thought and played a significant role in the evolution of galaxies.
As a reminder, scientists have discovered a planet that may be habitable.
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