Posted by Brian Myers | Published
Scientists studying the most famous black hole have made a new discovery about it, concluding that they have discovered the first triple black hole. The black hole V404 Cygni, one of the first black holes ever recorded when it was identified in 1992, has been the subject of thousands of papers and extensive research over the decades. However, when a team of physicists from California Tech and MIT used software that combined data taken from multiple televisions, they were able to make a surprising discovery.
Many times, a black hole will exist as a double. A black hole will reveal itself in the center while a second object (usually a small star) will complete the duo. The black hole’s gravity binds the two objects together in a spiraling orbital pattern that is one of the most unique symbiotic relationships in the universe.
New Discovery
This triple black hole shows that V404 Cygni has a small orbiting star that orbits the former star every six and a half days. But the research team noticed that a third object was in the mix, a second star orbiting the black hole at a much greater distance.
The distant triple black hole object is so distant that physicists estimate it will take 70,000 years to complete its black hole cycle. But the star appears to be part of an orbiting spiral, perhaps changing the conventional wisdom on black holes in general.
Rethinking the Origins of Black Holes
It’s for good reason that the triple black hole has scientists rethinking how these mysterious objects are formed. The origin of black holes in the universe is widely believed to be the result of a dying star releasing a massive burst of energy and light into space in a process known as a supernova. But if this happens, the small amount of energy released from the dying star can have a large effect on any nearby celestial bodies.
The researchers who discovered the triple black hole believe that the first object was not made by a star that went supernova at all. Instead, the star is thought to have become a black hole through a process called “vertical collapse,” in which the star bounced slowly instead of exploding violently. This would keep the second distant star in its orbit around it, instead of forcing it into a new orbit.
Confirmation Theory
In order to confirm the theory proposed by the research team, a series of simulations were run to see if a triple black hole could be a product of a collapsing star. These simulations not only gave credence to the team’s theory, but also led them to conclude how old the black hole might be.
Physicists noticed that a distant orbiting star is on its way to becoming a Red Giant, the stage in a star’s life when it becomes saturated with elements just before it dies. Gathering what is known about neighboring stars and the estimated life span of stars in general, researchers believe that it and the black hole orbiting it are four billion years old.
When a distant star that is part of a black hole reaches the end of its life, it may explode as a supernova, possibly altering the trajectory of the star closest to the black hole. But if it also, slowly collapses, scientists in the future may see more stars orbiting the newly formed black hole.
Sources: Eureka Alert
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