LID 568 BLACK HOLE: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

LID 568 BLACK HOLE: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NEWS: Space telescopes stumble on rule-breaking black hole in early universe

 

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

Using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Chandra X-ray Observatory, researchers discovered LID-568, a peculiar low-mass supermassive black hole accreting matter at 40 times the Eddington limit, offering groundbreaking insights into the rapid growth of black holes in the early universe.

1. LID-568: A Unique Black Hole Discovery

  • What is LID-568?
  • A low-mass supermassive black hole, existing approximately 5 billion years after the Big Bang.
  • Detected through X-ray emissions from the Chandra X-ray Observatory and complementary observations by JWST.
  • Exhibits super-Eddington accretion, a rare phenomenon challenging conventional astrophysical theories.
  • Key Feature:
  • Accretes material at 40 times the Eddington limit, suggesting a mechanism for rapid growth not previously considered possible.

2. The Eddington Limit: Theoretical Framework

  • What is it?
  • Proposed by Sir Arthur Eddington, it defines the maximum luminosity a celestial body (like a black hole or star) can achieve before radiation pressure counteracts gravity.
  • Self-Regulation in Accretion:
  • Beyond this limit, radiation pressure becomes too strong, halting additional accretion and possibly ejecting matter.

3. Super-Eddington Accretion: A Phenomenon Beyond Limits

  • What is Super-Eddington Accretion?
  • Occurs when a black hole surpasses the Eddington limit, consuming matter at rates previously thought impossible.
  • Results in luminosities far exceeding the theoretical maximum, which challenges traditional models of radiation-pressure balance.
  • LID-568 as an Example:
  • Demonstrates super-Eddington accretion with a feeding rate 40 times higher than the limit.
  • Provides valuable insights into the growth of supermassive black holes shortly after the universe began.

4. Black Holes: Key Characteristics

  • Event Horizon:
  • The boundary surrounding a black hole where nothing, not even light, can escape its gravitational pull.
  • Singularity:
  • The central point of a black hole with infinite density and gravity, where current laws of physics fail to explain conditions.
  • Accretion Disk:
  • A disk of gas and dust spiraling into the black hole, heated by intense friction and emitting radiation (often visible in X-rays).
  • Spaghettification:
  • A tidal effect where objects are stretched and elongated as they approach the black hole due to extreme gravitational forces.

5. Observational Tools and Their Role

  • Chandra X-ray Observatory:
  • First detected LID-568 due to its exceptional X-ray brightness.
  • Crucial in identifying black holes that are invisible in optical and infrared wavelengths.
  • James Webb Space Telescope (JWST):
  • Provided complementary observations of LID-568, revealing its unique accretion behavior.

6. Scientific Significance of LID-568

  • Challenges Existing Theories:
  • Black holes accreting beyond the Eddington limit are not fully understood in conventional astrophysical models.
  • Early Universe Insights:
  • Helps explain how supermassive black holes formed and grew rapidly in the early stages of the universe.
  • Astrophysical Implications:
  • Opens new research avenues into black hole physics, galaxy evolution, and the role of super-Eddington accretion.

 

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/jwst-chandra-super-eddington-black-hole-early-universe/article69122680.ece