A recent study led by astronomers from the University of Hawaii reveals that three supermassive black holes, located 80 billion light-years away, are consuming stars significantly larger than our sun. These cosmic giants have been documented in data from NASA and the European Space Agency. The black holes are involved in some of the most energetic cosmic events recorded since the Big Bang, causing spectacular explosions when they shred and consume massive stars.
Supermassive black holes, which sit at the centers of galaxies like the Milky Way, have an immense gravitational pull that can capture and disintegrate entire stars. This phenomenon was described in a study published in the journal Science Advances, which highlights two extreme nuclear transient events observed over the past decade. These events reveal crucial information about otherwise dormant black holes. The lead author, Jason Hinkle, noted that these occurrences allow scientists to spotlight massive black holes that are not actively consuming matter.
Of the three identified black holes, two were revealed in 2016 and 2018, while the third, called “Barbie,” was discovered in 2020 and documented in 2023. The energy released from these cosmic explosions is so significant that it surpasses all other stellar phenomena, apart from the Big Bang itself. As the black holes consume stars, they emit X-rays and ultraviolet rays that temporarily brighten the surrounding area, creating a method for astronomers to locate more black holes in the ancient universe. This study provides a blueprint for future research into these enigmatic objects and enhances our understanding of the universe’s most energetic environments.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
