[NTD News, Beijing time, November 09, 2024]Astronomers generally believe that stellar-mass black holes are usually formed when stars collapse after a supernova explosion. However, the discovery of the first triple black hole system “V404 Cygni” overturned the original knowledge.
The black hole is surrounded by a very close star that orbits it every 6.5 days and a very distant star that is 100 times the distance from Pluto to the Sun.
A new study conducted thousands of simulations to explore the formation process of this black hole and found that “direct collapse” is the most likely scenario, in which the black hole formed without a supernova explosion.
V404 Cygnus may not be a household name, but it has been the subject of some 1,300 scientific papers and counting. That’s because this tiny quasar contains a black hole that was confirmed in 1992, one of the first black holes confirmed. It has been the subject of intensive research since then. Even after 30 years of intensive research, V404 Cygnus, which is about 8,000 light-years away from Earth, still brings many surprises to astronomers.
Three-body black hole system discovered
Scientists at MIT and Caltech recently discovered that the black hole is not part of a binary system, the most common situation in which a star orbits a black hole. V404 Cygnus is actually part of a three-body black hole system, meaning there are two stars orbiting this stellar-mass black hole. The research team analyzed a database called Aladin Lite that aggregates the results of a large number of telescope observations, and referred to stellar motion data collected by the European Space Agency (ESA) Gaia satellite to finally confirm their preliminary conclusion.
Their research shows that V404 Cygnus actually hosts two stars: a known star that orbits very close to the black hole, and a newly discovered star that orbits in 70,000 Earth years at a distance of about the distance between the Sun and Pluto. 100 times. The results of this study were published in the journal Nature on October 23.
“This system is very exciting for the study of black hole evolution and raises the question of whether there are more three-body systems like this,” study lead author Kevin Burdge from MIT said in a press release. “We thought most black holes formed from violent explosions of stars, but the new findings cast doubt on this.”
Direct collapse rather than supernova explosion
Black holes are notoriously difficult to study because physics is known to break down within their “event horizon,” but astronomers at least theorize that stellar-mass black holes are formed by stars much larger than our sun. Formed after the collapse of a supernova explosion. This supernova explosion will produce what is called a “natal kick”, which will cause any object on its gravitational edge to escape from its gravitational constraints. However, the presence of distant stars around V404 Cygni defies this assumption.
“Imagine you’re pulling a kite, but instead of a strong string, you’re pulling a spider’s silk,” Burdge said in a press release. “If you pull too hard, the thread will break and you’ll lose the kite. Gravity is like this barely binding spider thread, and if you make any drastic changes to the inner binary star system, you’ll lose the outer star. “
To understand how V404 Cygnus formed, Burdge ran a series of simulations looking for scenarios that would preserve distant stars orbiting around the black hole. After running thousands of simulations, some involving supernovae, others simulated a concept called “direct collapse,” in which the star essentially skips the explosive supernova phase. The simplest way to explain the current state of Cygnus V404 is to “collapse directly.”
The outer star also provides astronomers with more information about the black hole it orbits. Because the star is currently transitioning to a red giant stage, researchers estimate that the three-body black hole system is about four billion years old. Burdge told Space.com that future research hopes to learn more about this fascinating three-body system, specifically whether the outer star’s orbit is circular or eccentric. He hopes that the “GRAVITY” instrument on the European Space Agency’s Very Large Telescope, which is designed to track the tiny movements of distant stars, can provide further clues for humans to study this special black hole system.
(Reprinted from The Epoch Times/Editor: Ye Ping)
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Breaking Black Hole News: V404 Cygni and Its Triple Trouble!
Ah, black holes—the ultimate party crashers of the universe! They’ve got so much gravitational pull that they can suck in light. I mean, could they be any more dramatic? Well, it turns out the latest gossip from the cosmic scene revolves around a little star we call V404 Cygni, which has recently become the first known triple black hole system. It’s like a reality show, but with more gravity and far less drama.
A Stellar Revelation
Previously, astronomers were like that guy who insists the best relationships start with a big bang—literally. They assumed that stellar-mass black holes were usually formed from a supernova explosion, the cosmic version of blowing up the kitchen while making dinner. But hold onto your telescopes, folks! This new discovery flips that idea like a pancake at a Sunday brunch.
The V404 Cygnus system includes a star that circles the black hole every 6.5 days and a second distant star—at a staggering distance that would make even Pluto feel cozy! I’m no mathematician, but it’s roughly 100 times the distance from our Sun to Pluto. Let’s just call it your average interstellar long-distance relationship!
Three’s Company!
Now, you may be scratching your head thinking, “Wait, wasn’t black hole dating a simple binary affair?” Well, that was until researchers at MIT and Caltech decided to throw a wild card into the mix. They confirmed that V404 Cygni isn’t just a duo; it’s actually hosting a three-body black hole system! It’s like a celestial ‘polyamorous’ family—everybody’s orbiting, and nobody’s getting kicked out!
How did they figure this out? Well, thanks to the Aladin Lite database—no, it’s not a trendy coffee shop—it aggregates tons of telescope observations. They also relied on data from ESA’s Gaia satellite. Because what’s a good astronomical phenomenon without a bit of high-tech gadgetry, right?
Direct Collapse: The New Black Hole Trend
Now let’s talk about how V404 Cygnus is changing the black hole game. Instead of the expected grand finale of a supernova, astronomers propose something called “direct collapse.” Think of it like that friend who never gets over the breakup and skips straight to the solo dance party!
Lead author Kevin Burdge likened the behavior of black holes to pulling a kite with a spider’s silk string—if you pull too hard, you lose it. This is gravity at work—or as I like to call it, “the force that ensures you never let go of your lunch during a rollercoaster ride!”
These simulations showed that the outer star’s presence challenges the old narrative about how these cosmic beasts are born—hardly surprising since many of us can relate to the whole “defying expectations” theme!
What’s Next for V404 Cygnus?
Aside from making headlines, this three-body black hole system is a treasure trove for astronomers eager to learn more about their peculiar evolution. As it turns out, the outer star is going through a bit of a mid-life crisis, transitioning into a red giant phase—much like that friend who suddenly decides to get a tattoo and start listening to heavy metal.
Future studies aim to explore whether that outer star’s orbit is more circular or eccentric. Burdge is pinning hopes on the “GRAVITY” instrument from the Very Large Telescope, which might just help us decipher the enigmatic workings of this stellar trio. Imagine the headlines: “Three’s Company Alert! Stellar Shenanigans in V404 Cygni!”
Final Thoughts
So, as we gaze into the night sky, let’s be thankful for systems like V404 Cygnus—where gravity is the ultimate matchmaker, and black holes are giving even the brightest stars a run for their money. It’s a cosmic dance party out there, and no matter how many light-years away, it’s nice to know some things never change; the universe will always have surprises up its sleeve. If only my love life were that exciting!
(Reprinted from The Epoch Times/Editor: Ye Ping)
[NTD News, Beijing time, November 09, 2024] Astronomers have long held the view that stellar-mass black holes typically arise from the catastrophic collapse of massive stars following a supernova explosion. However, the groundbreaking discovery of the first-ever triple black hole system, known as “V404 Cygni,” has challenged and potentially transformed this conventional understanding.
The V404 Cygni black hole is uniquely accompanied by two stars: one that orbits closely every 6.5 days and another that resides at an astonishing distance, approximately 100 times further than Pluto is from the Sun. This configuration suggests a complex gravitational relationship not previously understood.
A comprehensive new study, which involved running thousands of sophisticated simulations, delved into the enigmatic formation process of this black hole. It revealed that the scenario labeled “direct collapse” appears to be the most plausible explanation, indicating that this black hole emerged without the traditional supernova event that is typically associated with such cosmic phenomena.
Though V404 Cygnus may not ring a bell for the general public, it has garnered significant academic attention, featuring in about 1,300 scientific papers to date. This interest stems from its status as one of the first black holes to be definitively confirmed, a milestone achieved in 1992. It is situated approximately 8,000 light-years away from Earth and remains a subject of intense scholarly investigation, consistently surprising astronomers even after three decades of research.
Three-body black hole system discovered
Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have recently established that V404 Cygni is not part of a simple binary system, which is the most commonly observed arrangement in which a star orbits a black hole. Instead, V404 Cygni is characterized as a complex three-body system, comprising two stars that orbit this stellar-mass black hole. The research team employed the Aladin Lite database, which compiles results from numerous telescope observations, and also utilized star motion data gathered by the European Space Agency’s Gaia satellite to substantiate their findings.
According to their research, the V404 Cygnus system contains two distinct stars: a well-documented star that orbits in close proximity to the black hole and a newly identified star that completes an orbit roughly every 70,000 Earth years, situated at a distance that dramatically exceeds typical celestial parameters. The definitive results of this comprehensive study were published in the esteemed journal Nature on October 23.
“This system is incredibly exciting for advancing our understanding of black hole evolution and raises the intriguing question of whether additional three-body systems exist in the universe,” stated Kevin Burdge, study lead author from MIT, in a recent press release. “We previously thought that most black holes emerged from violent star explosions, but our new findings cast significant doubt on this long-held belief.”
Direct collapse rather than supernova explosion
Studying black holes presents substantial challenges, as the laws of physics are believed to break down within their defining “event horizon.” However, astronomers theorize that stellar-mass black holes are typically birthed from stars far more massive than our Sun, particularly following a supernova explosion. This cataclysmic event typically generates a so-called “natal kick,” a forceful ejection that allows objects at the outer edges of the explosion to escape the black hole’s gravitational grip. Nevertheless, the presence of the distant stars surrounding V404 Cygni directly contradicts this preconceived notion.
Kevin Burdge elaborated on this, using an analogy: “Imagine you’re pulling a kite, but instead of a strong string, you’re using a delicate spider’s silk. If you pull too hard, the thread will break, making you lose the kite. Gravity operates much like that fragile webbing—if any significant alterations occur within the inner binary star system, the outer star could easily be ejected.”
To unravel the formation mystery of V404 Cygni, Burdge conducted multiple simulations to determine scenarios that would allow distant stars to maintain their orbits around the black hole. After executing thousands of simulations, which included models of supernovae and those exploring the concept of “direct collapse,” the emerging consensus was that the most straightforward explanation for the current state of V404 Cygni is indeed “direct collapse.”
The presence of the outer star also offers astronomers invaluable insights into the characteristics of the black hole itself. As this outer star transitions into its red giant phase, researchers estimate that the entire three-body black hole system is approximately four billion years old. Burdge shared with Space.com that future explorations aim to uncover more information regarding this captivating three-body system, particularly focusing on whether the outer star’s orbit is notably circular or eccentric. There’s hope that the “GRAVITY” instrument on the European Space Agency’s Very Large Telescope will aid in tracking the subtle movements of these distant stars, thereby unveiling further layers of understanding regarding this extraordinary black hole system.
(Reprinted from The Epoch Times/Editor: Ye Ping)
Nding V404 Cygni raises questions about this traditional narrative. Instead of following the expected path of a supernova explosion, the current research suggests that V404 Cygni may have formed through a process known as **direct collapse**. This phenomenon refers to the formation of a black hole without the explosive death of a massive star, which fundamentally changes our understanding of how these cosmic entities can come into existence.
The complexity of the V404 Cygni system with its three-body arrangement is not just an interesting trivia for space enthusiasts; it offers vital clues about the conditions in which such black holes may form. The gravitational interactions in a three-body system can lead to a variety of orbital dynamics, which are crucial for understanding the evolution of black holes and their environments.
The extraordinary distance of the second star, located about 100 times the distance from the Sun to Pluto, suggests a different kind of gravitational influence that can stabilize the orbits in a way that was not previously considered. The researchers are eager to examine whether the outer star’s orbit is circular or eccentric, as this could provide further insights into the dynamics at play within this unique system.
With the assistance of advanced observational tools like the **GRAVITY** instrument on the European Space Agency’s Very Large Telescope, scientists hope to collect more data to test their hypotheses about the V404 Cygni system. This includes whether other similar three-body configurations exist in the universe, which could offer more evidence for the direct collapse model of black hole formation.
the tale of V404 Cygni not only challenges long-held beliefs about black hole formation but also invites us to explore the intricate relationships between stars and black holes. As astronomers continue their investigations into this captivating cosmic trio, each discovery could redefine our understanding of stellar evolution and the enigmatic nature of black holes in the universe.
