Skinny galaxy harbors massive black hole at core

In summary, scientists have discovered a supermassive black hole at the core of a spiral galaxy, challenging the belief that only galaxies with bulging cores have such black holes. This finding may lead to a revision of the current "rule of thumb" for black hole presence in galaxies. The galaxy, NGC 4395, may have lost its central bulge to the black hole due to advanced age. Further studies are needed to fully understand the evolution of black holes and their relationship to galactic evolution.
  • #1
(Q)
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"Skinny" galaxy harbors massive black hole at core

Scientists have uncovered a supermassive black hole at the core of a svelte, spiral galaxy, a finding that questions a recently devised rule of thumb in which only galaxies with bulging cores have such black holes.

http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2003/04/10_skinny.shtml


What kind of changes to our "rule of thumb" can we expect from this finding?
 
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  • #2
Maybe the velocity dispersion mentioned is actually more of a momentum dispersion, allowing for a smaller black hole mass with great spin and narrower galactic bulge? One would probably find, on axis, narrow jets of matter perpendicular to such a galaxy.

Otherwise, the galaxy has entered a stage, similar to a quasar's earlier demise, where the stellar mass neighboring the black hole is temporarily depleted, with only disc material remaining nearby. This process is rare in that it would be a transition to a reconstituted bulge.
 
  • #3


Originally posted by (Q)
http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2003/04/10_skinny.shtml


What kind of changes to our "rule of thumb" can we expect from this finding?

It could be that the age of the NGC 4395 galaxy is sufficently advanced enough to have lost its central buldge to the black hole.

The evolution of black holes has no set "rule of thumb" as yet... as far as I know. It may take another 1000 years of study to actually have a "rule of thumb" with regard to black holes and galactic evolution.

The "light" black hole at NGC 4395's centre could have been super massive at one time... then been reduced as it reduced the size of NGC 4395.

I'm not up on the physics of these conditions so... this is just an approximation generated by my general ignorance of the phenomenon.
 

What is a "skinny galaxy"?

A "skinny galaxy" refers to a galaxy that has a thin and elongated shape, as opposed to a more spherical or oval shape.

What is a black hole?

A black hole is a region in space where the gravitational pull is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape from it. This is due to the extreme concentration of mass in a small area.

How do scientists detect a black hole at the core of a galaxy?

Scientists can detect a black hole at the core of a galaxy through various methods, including observing the movement of stars and gas around the center of the galaxy, analyzing the emission of radiation from the black hole, and studying the effects of the black hole on its surrounding environment.

Why is the discovery of a massive black hole at the core of a skinny galaxy significant?

The discovery of a massive black hole at the core of a skinny galaxy is significant because it challenges current theories of galaxy formation and evolution. It also provides insights into the relationship between black holes and the shape of galaxies.

What implications does this discovery have for our understanding of the universe?

This discovery suggests that the presence of a massive black hole may play a larger role in shaping the structure of galaxies than previously thought. It also raises questions about the formation and evolution of galaxies and the role of black holes in these processes.

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