The discovery of an ultramassive black hole, exceeding 30 billion solar masses, marks a significant advancement in astrophysics. This black hole is the first to be identified using gravitational lensing, a technique that reveals the presence of massive objects by bending light from distant galaxies. Lead author Dr. James Nightingale from Durham University emphasizes that the upcoming European Space Agency's Euclid mission, set to launch in July 2023, is expected to revolutionize black hole research by identifying up to 100,000 new gravitational lenses, potentially uncovering thousands of hidden black holes.
PREREQUISITESAstronomers, astrophysics researchers, and students interested in black hole studies and gravitational lensing techniques will benefit from this discussion.
https://www.france24.com/en/live-ne...over-one-of-biggest-black-holes-ever-recordedParis (AFP) – One of the largest black holes ever recorded has been discovered using a new technique that could spot thousands more of the insatiable celestial monsters in the coming years, according to astronomers.
The ultramassive black hole, one of just four ever observed, is more than 30 billion times the mass of the Sun, a new study said.
It is the first black hole ever observed using a phenomenon called gravitational lensing, in which light travelling towards us from a distant galaxy appears to magnify and bend inwards, giving away the presence of a dark giant.
James Nightingale, an astronomer at the UK's Durham University and the study's lead author, told AFP the process was "similar to shining light through the base of a wine glass".
There are currently around 500 known gravitational lenses -- at least one of which we now know is a supermassive black hole.
But "the landscape is about to dramatically change," Nightingale said.
The European Space Agency's Euclid mission, planned to launch into space in July, will open a "big data era" for black hole hunters by creating a huge high resolution map of the universe, he said.
In the next six years Euclid could find 100,000 new gravitational lenses, which would potentially point towards thousands of previously hidden black holes, Nightingale added.
Astronuc said:https://www.france24.com/en/live-ne...over-one-of-biggest-black-holes-ever-recorded
https://universe.nasa.gov/black-holes/types/ - didn't find this very helpful
ESA Euclid mission overview - https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Euclid_overview (to be launched July 2023)
Title adjusted, thanks. I am reading around methods of measurement and some of the other black holes discovered.Vanadium 50 said:Is it the largest or one of the largest?