A China-led space telescope has captured an intermediate-mass black hole tearing apart a white dwarf star.
Sandeep K S
Feb 11
1 min read
Astronomers capture a groundbreaking event as a black hole devours a white dwarf, reaching a peak luminosity of \(3 \times 10^{49}\) erg/s. Detected by the Einstein Probe, this phenomenon provides key insights into intermediate-mass black holes, with a dramatic 20-day transition from high to low-energy states. Occurring on the galaxy's remote outskirts, this tidal disruption showcases unique cosmic interactions.
Astrophysicists have completed ASTRID, the largest cosmological hydrodynamic simulation ever run, tracing the universe from the cosmic dawn ($z=99$) down to the present day ($z=0$). By resolving 166 billion particles across 815 million light-years, ASTRID unveils how supermassive black holes co-evolve with galaxies and sculpt the cosmic web.
Scientists have uncovered the first robust evidence of a black hole and neutron star crashing together while orbiting in an oval path, challenging long-standing assumptions about cosmic pair formation.
Most neutron star-black hole pairs are expected to adopt circular orbits long before merging, their orbits slowly rounded out by the constant emission of gravitational waves over millions of years.
Far from the warmth of any star, moons orbiting rogue gas giants might harbor oceans of liquid water—and potentially complex life—for billions of years.
Liquid water is considered essential for life. Surprisingly, however, stable conditions that are conducive to life could exist far from any sun.
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