Awakening of Ansky: Mysterious black hole defies models
Located at the center of the galaxy SDSS1335+0728, in the constellation Virgo, and more than 300 million light-years away from Earth, a supermassive black hole has awakened from its slumber and started emitting strong streams of X-ray radiation.
The Ansky black hole, also over 300 million light-years away from us in Virgo, has been consistently active since 2019. Its strange behavior has attracted significant attention from the scientific community. It was then that scientists observed energy outbursts from this giant, which had remained dormant for decades.
Observing this surprising phenomenon was made possible by the XMM-Newton telescope of the European Space Agency. With this advanced technology, researchers could study some of the most mysterious cosmic explosions that released enormous amounts of energy.
What is happening with Ansky?
For over six years, the Ansky black hole has been sending intense X-ray radiation into space. These eruptions are cyclical and involve the release of violent and bright energy streams. Scientists are still unsure about what is causing this cosmic giant to reactivate.
The currently accepted models are becoming insufficient
Bursts of this type are uncommon, which makes them particularly intriguing for study. According to Science Alert, each eruption lasts ten times longer and is ten times brighter than previously known energy jet emissions. The phenomenon also features a notably long cadence period, lasting about four and a half days. This suggests that currently accepted models are insufficient and do not fully explain this fascinating cycle.
Implications for future research
Ansky's brightness is surprising. Previous observations have shown that the eruptions are characterized by an exceptionally wide range of wavelengths that include both infrared and X-ray radiation. The European Space Agency has high hopes for research on this black hole, as it could provide valuable insights into gravitational waves.
While black holes do not emit light themselves, they can be sources of intense activity in their surroundings. Material swirling around a black hole reaches extreme temperatures, leading to light emission. Studies on Ansky may enhance our understanding of black hole and galaxy evolution.
Current knowledge suggests that a supermassive black hole lies at the center of almost every galaxy. Their distant and elusive nature complicates research, maintaining their status as one of the Universe's greatest mysteries.
