Space: “With other very close stars, it has something to feast on” … The Hubble telescope observes a new type of black hole swallowing a star

The Hubble space telescope. In addition, the NASA X-ray Observatory have joined forces to identify a new possible example of a rare class of black holes, NASA said this weekend in a press release.

An “extraordinary” observation. Similarly, according to experts since it is very rare to observe new types of black holes, moreover, at the heart of a cosmic feast. Similarly, What makes this black hole particular is its size.

It is not tiny like those left by dead stars. Therefore, it is not massive like those in the center of the galaxies. Nevertheless, It would space: “with other very close thus be a black intermediate mass hole. a link that is a long -standing bike in the science of black holes.

It is a new study published in the astrophysical newspaper which reveals the major discovery of this black hole called HLX-1 (for Hyper-Luminous X-Ray Source 1). located in the galaxy called NGC 6099, at around 450 million light years of the earth, in the heart of the Hercules Constellation.

It is a long -term observation which made it possible to highlight (with X -rays …) the discovery. The mass observed in 2009 has twice a peak of X -ray bright rarer from 50 to 100 times. compared to the first observation. It was in February 2012 and August 2023.

“The star could not resist the black hole” – Space: "with other very close

For the authors of the study. “such properties make it a serious candidate for a black hole of intermediate mass” swallowing space: “with other very close a star.

The images also make it possible to determine that the black hole has apparently not finished feasting since it. is around a heap of stars.

According to the DIY photography site, “the star that got too closer to HLX-1 had no chance”. “Its severity did not resist the attraction of the black hole. HLX-1 stretched the star like a spaghetti”.

According to NASA. the nearby star clusters would offer “to the black hole enough to feast on, because the stars are so close to each other that they are only distant from a few light months (about 800 billion kilometers)”.

“A discovery that contributes to lighting the way”

Note that NASA used two powerful tools to study HLX-1. First, Chandra detected the eruption of X-rays, indicating that HLX-1 had started to eat again. The eruption confirmed the presence of a tide effect disturbance. Then Hubble provided detailed space: “with other very close optical and ultraviolet images. These allowed scientists to locate the black hole and the heap of stars around it. All the data made it possible to draw up a complete table.

According to NASA. “the Hubble and Chandra telescopes opened a rare window on the operation of a classy class of black holes. HLX-1, formerly an integral part of a small galaxy, now feeds in the shadow of a larger galaxy”. “In the dark immensity of space, discoveries like this contribute to lighting the way,” promises the American space agency.