Supermassive Black Hole “Wakes Up” After
100 Million Years: Volcanic-Like Eruption in Space
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In a remarkable cosmic
discovery, scientists have observed a supermassive black hole “wake up” after
remaining dormant for nearly 100 million years.
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The sudden activation
triggered a powerful burst of energy, likened to a volcanic eruption in space,
offering fresh insights into the dynamic behaviour of black holes and their
role in shaping galaxies.
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Supermassive black holes
are located at the centres of most galaxies.
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Active Galactic Nuclei
(AGN) emit enormous energy when black holes are active.
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Black holes can switch
between active and dormant states.
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High-energy jets from
black holes influence star formation in galaxies.
What does a ‘waking’ black hole mean?
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Black holes are not
constantly active; they can remain dormant for extended periods when there is
no nearby matter to consume.
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However, when gas, dust,
or stars enter their gravitational influence, they become active again.
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In this case, the black
hole resumed feeding, releasing intense radiation and high-energy emissions,
marking a transition from inactivity to an active phase.
Cosmic volcano: nature of the eruption
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The phenomenon has been
compared to a volcanic eruption due to the sudden release of accumulated
energy. Instead of lava, black holes emit powerful jets of particles and
radiation into space.
