New observations made with the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory provide a 'missing link' in our knowledge of black hole and star interactions.
The astronomers discovered the star thanks to a bright X-ray flash emanating from the center of a nearby galaxy some 500 million light-years away called 2MASX J02301709+2836050.. Instead of decaying away as expected, they found that it shone brightly for 7-10 days before suddenly going dark. Follow-up observations showed that this process repeated roughly every 25 days.Similar behavior has been observed in phenomena known as quasi-periodic eruptions and periodic nuclear transients.
Swift J0230's behavior sits somewhere between the two, meaning it likely forms a "missing link" in our knowledge of black hole and star interactions.Using models of quasi-periodic eruptions and periodic nuclear transients as a guide, the astronomers found that the Swift J0230 event was likely caused by a star of a similar size to our Sun in an elliptical orbit around a low-mass black hole at its galaxy's center.
The black hole is estimated to be roughly 10,000 to 100,000 times the mass of our Sun, which is relatively small for one of the cosmic giants. As a point of reference, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way,Every time the star makes a close approach, material equivalent to the mass of three Earths is devoured by the black hole. It is heated up to around 3 million degrees Fahrenheit as it's pulled into the black hole, releasing a massive amount of X-rays.
Dr. Rob Eyles-Ferris, one of the University of Leicester astronomers on the study, said that "in most of the systems we've seen in the past the star is completely destroyed. Swift J0230 is an exciting addition to the class of partially-disrupted stars as it shows us that the two classes of these objects already found are really connected, with our new system giving us the missing link.
Another one of the astronomers who worked on the data analysis for the study, Dr. Kim Page, said, "Given that we found Swift J0230 within a few months of enabling our new transient-hunting tool, we expect that there are a lot more objects like this out there, waiting to be uncovered."
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New law requires New Jersey schools to provide menstrual products starting next fallWe hear from advocates who say these laws are needed to tackle so-called 'period poverty,' and these supplies should be considered part of back-to-school shopping.
Read more »
The Exorcist: Believer Releases New Trailer Ahead Of New Release DateA second full trailer for The Exorcist: Believer has been released this morning. The film is now in theaters October 6th.
Read more »
Tight end Darren Waller has brought a new excitement to the New York Giants offenseThe New York Giants offense may surprise people this season. Quarterback Daniel Jones is coming off a career season.
Read more »
The Rolling Stones Announce First New Album in 18 Years with New Single 'Angry'The Rolling Stones have a new album, Hackney Diamonds, coming in October. Listen to the first single.
Read more »
Thieving groundhog ‘Chunk’ taunts filmmaker farmer in up-close footage: ‘So much swagger’A hungry, hungry groundhog has been caught on camera chowing down on a Delaware man’s garden — and he’s turned it into a viral YouTube series.
Read more »