📡 Observation of a new physical phenomenon allowing the growth of black holes

2024-08-02 06:00:14

The recent discovery of a growth process for supermassive black holes is shaking up our understanding of these cosmic giants. This breakthrough is based on the observation of rotating magnetic winds, revealing a surprising similarity with the formation of stars and planets.

Artist’s conceptualization of the environment around the supermassive black hole in the center of Mrk 231.
Image International Gemini Observatory/AURA/Lynette Cook

A team of astronomers led by Northwestern University has used data from the ALMA observatory to demonstrate that rotating magnetic winds accelerate the growth of supermassive black holes, similar to star formation.

The researchers focused on the galaxy ESO320-G030, located 120 million light-years away, to unravel the mystery of the growth of supermassive black holes. By observing this particularly active galaxy, they found that powerful magnetic winds were involved in feeding the black hole central.

Astronomy & Astrophysics published these results this springproviding a new perspective on the evolution of galaxies. Mark Gorski, lead author of the study, points out that rotating winds, accelerated by magnetic fields, allow black holes to grow in a way similar to the birth of starsbut on a much smaller scale different.

To probe the dense gas surrounding the central black hole of the galaxy ESO320-G030, scientists analyzed the light from molecules of cyanide d’hydrogen. Fine details revealed by the Doppler effect highlighted a rotating magnetized wind, contributing to the growth of the black hole, unlike jets which tend to repel the matter.

This discovery could be a common step in the evolution of galaxies with supermassive black holes. The researchers now plan to examine other galaxies to determine how common this phenomenon is and understand the next steps in the evolution of black holes.

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