New Study Reveals Supermassive Black Hole at Center of Galaxy is Shaping Spacetime Like a Football
A groundbreaking study conducted by a team of researchers using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and the NSF’s Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) has unveiled a stunning discovery about the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy, Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*). The study found that Sgr A* is spinning at an incredibly fast rate, warping spacetime and giving it the shape of a football.
Black holes are characterized by their mass and spin, which provide valuable insights into their behavior. Previous estimates of Sgr A*’s rotation speed varied widely, from no spin at all to almost maximum rate. However, this new study reveals that Sgr A* is indeed spinning rapidly, causing the spacetime around it to be compressed.
The researchers employed a new method called the “outflow method” to determine the spin of Sgr A*. This technique relies on the relationship between the black hole’s spin, its mass, the properties of the surrounding matter, and the outflow properties. By combining data from Chandra and the VLA with an independent estimate of the black hole’s mass, the team was able to constrain its spin.
The findings, published in the January 2024 issue of the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, have significant implications. The shape of spacetime around a spinning black hole can generate collimated outflows known as jets when its spin energy is extracted. However, due to limited fuel in Sgr A*’s vicinity, it has remained relatively quiet in recent millennia with weak jets. The study suggests that if the amount of material near Sgr A* increases, its activity could significantly intensify.
The artist’s illustration accompanying the study depicts a cross-section of Sgr A*, with swirling gas surrounding the black hole in a disk-like formation. The event horizon, the point of no return beyond which nothing can escape, is represented by a black sphere at the center. When viewed from the side, the spacetime around the spinning black hole takes on the shape of a football, with the degree of flattening increasing with the speed of rotation. Looking down on the black hole from the top, spacetime appears circular along the barrel of the jet.
The study’s lead author, Ruth Daly from Penn State University, highlights the importance of understanding a black hole’s spin as a source of energy. Spinning supermassive black holes generate jets when their spin energy is harnessed, but this requires the presence of matter nearby. With Sgr A* being relatively dormant, an increase in material could trigger a surge in activity.
The implications of this study extend beyond our galaxy. By unraveling the mysteries of supermassive black holes, scientists gain valuable insights into the fundamental workings of the universe. The research team, consisting of Biny Sebastian from the University of Manitoba, Megan Donahue from Michigan State University, Christopher O’Dea from the University of Manitoba, Daryl Haggard from McGill University, and Anan Lu from McGill University, has shed new light on the behavior of these cosmic enigmas.
The Chandra X-ray Observatory is managed by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, while science operations are controlled by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s Chandra X-ray Center. The study’s findings provide further evidence of the invaluable contributions made by these scientific institutions.
As we continue to explore the depths of space and uncover its secrets, studies like this one bring us closer to understanding the enigmatic forces that shape our universe. The discovery of Sgr A*’s rapid spin and its influence on spacetime opens up new avenues for research and invites us to contemplate the wonders that lie beyond our reach.