There could be a supermassive black hole only 90 million light years from Earth
A new study in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society suggests that a mysterious object just 90 million light years away from Earth could be a supermassive black hole.
The team of international scientists' findings suggest that the object is a black hole that was "kicked out of its home galaxy during a collision with another galaxy," Science magazine reports. If their findings are proven accurate, the black hole would be the first "evictee" to be confirmed by astronomers.
The unknown object, SDSS1133, is roughly 2,600 light years away from the center of the Markarian 177 galaxy. The object, probed by NASA's Swift mission, has "brightened substantially" in the last two years, Science reports. But since it has been seen in various images for the past 63 years, leading scientists to believe it's not an exploded supernova.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The new research reveals areas of star formation in the Markarian 177 galaxy, which could prove that a recent galactic collision forced SDS1133 out of its parent galaxy. If the object isn't a black hole, it might also be a "luminous blue variable," an extremely rare star. Scientists plan to study the object with ultraviolet wavelengths next year to gain further insight about what it may be.
-
The elite falcon trade in the Middle EastUnder the Radar Popularity of the birds of prey has been ‘soaring’ despite doubts over the legality of sourcing and concerns for animal welfare
-
A running list of the international figures Donald Trump has pardonedin depth The president has grown bolder in flexing executive clemency powers beyond national borders
-
Mixed nuts: RFK Jr.’s new nutrition guidelines receive uneven reviewsTalking Points The guidelines emphasize red meat and full-fat dairy
-
‘One Battle After Another’ wins Critics Choice honorsSpeed Read Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio, won best picture at the 31st Critics Choice Awards
-
Son arrested over killing of Rob and Michele ReinerSpeed Read Nick, the 32-year-old son of Hollywood director Rob Reiner, has been booked for the murder of his parents
-
Rob Reiner, wife dead in ‘apparent homicide’speed read The Reiners, found in their Los Angeles home, ‘had injuries consistent with being stabbed’
-
Hungary’s Krasznahorkai wins Nobel for literatureSpeed Read László Krasznahorkai is the author of acclaimed novels like ‘The Melancholy of Resistance’ and ‘Satantango’
-
Primatologist Jane Goodall dies at 91Speed Read She rose to fame following her groundbreaking field research with chimpanzees
-
Florida erases rainbow crosswalk at Pulse nightclubSpeed Read The colorful crosswalk was outside the former LGBTQ nightclub where 49 people were killed in a 2016 shooting
-
Trump says Smithsonian too focused on slavery's illsSpeed Read The president would prefer the museum to highlight 'success,' 'brightness' and 'the future'
-
Trump to host Kennedy Honors for Kiss, StalloneSpeed Read Actor Sylvester Stallone and the glam-rock band Kiss were among those named as this year's inductees
