Giant Black Hole Rips Apart Star, Tossing Its Insides Across Space
Astronomers have made an unprecedented forensic study of a star that was torn apart when it ventured too close to a giant black hole. The star's remains were then tossed out into space, creating a bright and energetic flare that was detected by telescopes around the world.
The event, known as ASASSN-14li, is one of the most massive tidal disruption events ever observed. Tidal disruption events occur when a star wanders too close to a supermassive black hole and is ripped apart by the black hole's immense gravity.
ASASSN-14li was detected in November 2014, and astronomers have been studying it ever since. Using data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and ESA's XMM-Newton telescope, astronomers have been able to measure the mass of the star and the black hole, as well as the composition of the star's remains.
The astronomers found that the star was about three times the mass of the Sun, and the black hole is about 100 million times the mass of the Sun. The star's remains were found to be rich in nitrogen and carbon, which indicates that the star was still evolving at the time of its destruction.
The astronomers believe that the star may have been kicked out of its original orbit by a close encounter with another star. This would have sent the star on a wandering path that eventually led it to its doom.
The destruction of ASASSN-14li provides astronomers with a valuable opportunity to learn more about how tidal disruption events work and how they affect the surrounding stars and gas. It also gives astronomers a glimpse into the chaotic and violent lives of supermassive black holes.
Implications for the Study of Black Holes
The study of ASASSN-14li has a number of implications for the study of black holes. First, it provides astronomers with a new way to measure the mass of black holes. By measuring the mass of the star and the mass of the debris field created by the tidal disruption event, astronomers can calculate the mass of the black hole.
Second, the study of ASASSN-14li provides astronomers with new insights into how tidal disruption events work. The astronomers found that the star was torn apart by the black hole's tidal forces, and that the star's remains were ejected into space at high speeds. This information can be used to develop new models of tidal disruption events.
Finally, the study of ASASSN-14li provides astronomers with new clues about the formation and evolution of galaxies. Supermassive black holes are thought to play an important role in the formation and evolution of galaxies, and the study of tidal disruption events can help astronomers to better understand this role.
Overall, the study of ASASSN-14li is a significant breakthrough in the study of black holes and galaxies. It provides astronomers with new ways to measure the mass of black holes, new insights into how tidal disruption events work, and new clues about the formation and evolution of galaxies.
Sources
www.nasa.gov/missions/chandra/a-giant-black-hole-destroys-a-massive-star/