Astronomers have been monitoring a black hole, nicknamed "Jetty McJetface," since 2022 after it unexpectedly reappeared with extremely bright radio waves. The phenomenon has grown 50 times brighter and continues to increase in brightness, potentially reaching a trillion times the energy of the Death Star from the Star Wars saga.
The black hole's tidal disruption event (TDE) occurs when a star is shredded by its gravitational forces outside the event horizon, causing part of its mass to be ejected violently outward. This ejection forms a rotating ring around the black hole, emitting powerful X-rays and visible light. The jet emitted during this process can indirectly confirm the presence of a black hole.
Researchers are now monitoring "Jetty" for similar behavior in high-energy TDEs, as it suggests that delayed outflow emissions may be more common than previously thought. This unprecedented phenomenon has not been extensively studied before due to the assumption that significant outflow emissions should only occur shortly after an explosion.
The study's lead author, Yvette Cendes, notes that astronomers were puzzled by "Jetty" when it reappeared with bright radio waves three years after initial detection. This event is relatively rare and highlights the complexities of black hole behavior. As researchers continue to monitor "Jetty," they may uncover more insights into these mysterious celestial objects.
The black hole's tidal disruption event (TDE) occurs when a star is shredded by its gravitational forces outside the event horizon, causing part of its mass to be ejected violently outward. This ejection forms a rotating ring around the black hole, emitting powerful X-rays and visible light. The jet emitted during this process can indirectly confirm the presence of a black hole.
Researchers are now monitoring "Jetty" for similar behavior in high-energy TDEs, as it suggests that delayed outflow emissions may be more common than previously thought. This unprecedented phenomenon has not been extensively studied before due to the assumption that significant outflow emissions should only occur shortly after an explosion.
The study's lead author, Yvette Cendes, notes that astronomers were puzzled by "Jetty" when it reappeared with bright radio waves three years after initial detection. This event is relatively rare and highlights the complexities of black hole behavior. As researchers continue to monitor "Jetty," they may uncover more insights into these mysterious celestial objects.