admin A new study provides strong evidence for a supermassive black hole in the Large Magellanic Cloud. This dwarf galaxy, visible from Earth’s southern hemisphere, has long intrigued astronomers. Now, scientists have traced the paths of nine fast-moving stars to its center. These hypervelocity stars suggest the presence of a hidden black hole.
This discovery marks the closest supermassive black hole beyond the Milky Way. Located about 160,000 light-years away, it is the nearest one after Sagittarius A* at the Milky Way’s core. While Sgr A* has a mass four million times that of the sun, this new black hole is smaller. It has a mass around 600,000 times that of the sun. However, its impact on nearby stars is significant.
Hypervelocity stars help identify hidden black holes. When binary star systems venture too close, extreme gravitational forces separate them. One star falls into the black hole, while the other is ejected at high speed. These stars can travel thousands of kilometers per second. The study used precise data from the Gaia space observatory to confirm their origins.
Until now, astronomers had identified 21 hypervelocity stars in the Milky Way. Researchers traced 16 back to specific locations. Seven came from Sgr A*, while nine originated from the Large Magellanic Cloud. This pattern strongly indicates a supermassive black hole at the cloud’s center. Scientists expected to find one based on the galaxy’s structure, but direct evidence was missing.
This black hole’s confirmation reshapes understanding of nearby galaxies. Previously, the Andromeda galaxy’s supermassive black hole was the closest one beyond the Milky Way. Andromeda sits 2.5 million light-years from Earth. Now, astronomers know a much closer one exists.
Tracking hypervelocity stars is a powerful method for uncovering hidden black holes. Researchers will now work to pinpoint its exact location. Future studies could reveal more about how this black hole influences the Large Magellanic Cloud.
The Large Magellanic Cloud remains one of the most studied galaxies. Yet, this black hole’s presence had only been inferred until now. With advancing technology and continued research, astronomers will uncover even more secrets about our galactic neighbors. This finding opens doors to deeper space exploration and understanding.
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