In a groundbreaking discovery, a team of international astrophysicists, led by Queen’s University Belfast, has unravelled a mystery that has puzzled scientists for years regarding black holes. Utilising Nasa’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and cutting-edge telescopes, the researchers have observed a massive black hole tearing apart one star and utilizing the stellar debris to impact another star or smaller black hole. This revelation has provided a crucial link between two previously separate astronomical phenomena.
The investigation began when astronomers witnessed a star being consumed by a black hole due to gravitational forces in 2019. The remnants of the destroyed star formed a disc around the black hole, creating a sort of “stellar graveyard”. Over time, the disc expanded outward and intersected the orbit of another star or potentially a stellar-mass black hole, leading to repeated collisions every 48 hours. These collisions produced spectacular light displays and bursts of X-rays, captured by the Chandra X-ray Observatory.
Lead author Dr Matt Nicholl likened the interaction to a diver causing a splash in a pool, with the star representing the diver and the disc as the pool. The study revealed that these regular eruptions, known as “quasi-periodic eruptions” (QPEs), are interconnected with tidal disruption events (TDEs), where objects come too close to a black hole and are torn apart.
Co-author Dr Dheeraj Pasham noted that the discovery provided concrete evidence of the relationship between TDEs and QPEs, offering a deeper understanding of these phenomena. By analysing Chandra data obtained from multiple observations, the researchers determined that the disc’s expansion could trigger eruptions when interacting with objects orbiting the black hole at specific intervals.
The research, published in Nature, showcases the collaborative efforts of scientists from various institutions and the critical role played by advanced telescopes like Chandra. The findings not only advance our understanding of black holes but also open up possibilities for identifying more QPEs linked to tidal disruptions, aiding future astronomical research and the exploration of supermassive black holes.
This breakthrough underscores the importance of continued exploration and innovation in astrophysics, shedding light on the complex and enigmatic nature of black holes. The study’s implications extend to potential applications in gravitational wave observatories and further investigations into celestial phenomena.