Tag: galaxy mergers
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A Cosmic Pas de Deux: Two Supermassive Black Holes in a Twisted Jet Dance
Global telescope catches unprecedented dance between titanic black holes In a landmark observation, astronomers using the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) have captured compelling evidence of a pair of supermassive black holes locked in a violent, choreographed encounter at the center of a distant galaxy. The data show a strikingly twisted arrangement of relativistic jets and…
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Supermassive Black Holes Exhibit Selective Feeding During Galaxy Mergers
Overview: A New Look at Black Hole Diets For decades, astronomers have treated supermassive black holes (SMBHs) as cosmic vacuum cleaners, voraciously consuming gas, stars, and anything that crosses their event horizons. Yet recent observations with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) are challenging that image. In merging galaxies, SMBHs show selective feeding patterns that…
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Selective Feeding: How Supermassive Black Holes Skim Gas During Galaxy Mergers
Introduction: A New View of Black Hole Feeding Black holes are often portrayed as cosmic vacuum cleaners, devouring anything that strays too close. Yet recent observations with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) show that supermassive black holes (SMBHs) in merging galaxies do not always gorge on available gas. Instead, their appetite appears selective, channelling…
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Supermassive Black Holes Feed Selectively During Galaxy Mergers
Introduction: A Surprising Appetite Black holes are famed for their voracious appetites, devouring matter that strays too close. But new observations from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) reveal a more nuanced behavior, even for the universe’s most massive beasts. During galaxy mergers, supermassive black holes (SMBHs) appear to eat selectively, preferentially accreting certain streams…
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Binary Supermassive Black Holes: A New Double SMBH Discovery
Discovery of a Rare Binary Pair In a breakthrough that enhances our understanding of how galaxies evolve, astronomers have captured compelling evidence of two supermassive black holes in a close binary orbit. These colossal objects, millions to billions of solar masses each, reside at the centers of merging galaxies and orbit a common center of…