HomeScienceAstronomers spot mysterious object emitting X-ray flashes at brink of a supermassive black hole

Astronomers spot mysterious object emitting X-ray flashes at brink of a supermassive black hole

Astronomers observe bizarre black hole behavior in 1ES 1927+654, emitting rapid X-ray bursts.

January 14, 2025 / 13:01 IST
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An illustration depicts a white dwarf balancing precariously near a supermassive black hole's edge of destruction. (Image: NASA)
An illustration depicts a white dwarf balancing precariously near a supermassive black hole's edge of destruction. (Image: NASA)

Astronomers using the XMM-Newton telescope observed strange black hole behaviour. Located 270 million light-years away, 1ES 1927+654 baffles scientists again. It emits rapid bursts of X-rays, a rare phenomenon.

White dwarf may explain accelerating X-ray bursts
Researchers at MIT propose a daring theory for this. A white dwarf could be orbiting near the black hole's edge. This stellar remnant balances near the event horizon, defying expectations. Explosions of high-energy light from the system occur faster now. Bursts increased from once every 18 minutes to seven minutes.

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"This could be the closest known object near a black hole," said Megan Masterson from MIT. She suggested white dwarfs may survive extreme environments longer than thought.

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