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How Supermassive Black Holes Power the Brightest Things in the Universe

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Two jets shooting out of the center of the active galaxy known as Cygnus A. Like all active galactic nuclei, Cygnus A is powered by a supermassive black hole.

Black holes are regions of space where gravity is so powerful that not even light can escape its pull. In a way, they are the darkest objects in the Universe. Normally, we see something by detecting the light it either emits or reflects, and interpreting it with either our eyes or with scientific instruments like telescopes or antennae. But even though we can’t directly observe black holes, we have plenty of clues that tell us where they are. And interestingly enough, the brightest objects in the entire Universe are actually powered by the biggest and oldest black holes ever found.

The idea of a black hole was first proposed in the late 18th century by English astronomer John Michell and French mathematician Pierre-Simon Laplace, but the concept really flourished after Albert Einstein put forward his theory of general relativity. American physicist John Wheeler is credited with coining the term “black hole” in 1967, four years before an actual one, known as Cygnus X-1, was first observed. Cygnus X-1 is actually a binary system comprising a supergiant, bright blue star and a black hole orbiting each other. We know there’s a black hole there, even though we can’t see it, because it emits X-rays: as the black hole siphons away gas from its companion star, the matter clumps up into an accretion disk around it (just before crossing the event horizon, at which point it is lost forever) and heats up due to friction. Like all hot things, the cloud of gas glows, in this case in the X-ray part of the spectrum, telling us there’s something really massive there, pulling all the matter in. And the only thing it could be is a black hole.

However Cygnus X-1 is a relatively modest object, about fifteen times the mass of our Sun. Supermassive black holes are thought to dominate the centers of most galaxies in the Universe and can grow to mind-boggling dimensions. The one lurking in the center of the Milky Way is about four million solar masses, and even that pales in comparison to objects found in other galaxies, like one discovered earlier this year which is an incredible 12 billion times the mass of the Sun! This monster is called a quasar (short for a quasi-stellar object), and it is a gigantic black hole sitting in the center of a very distant galaxy. Born less than a billion years after the Big Bang and located about 12.8 billion light-years away, this creature from the dawn of time (which scientists call SDSS J010013.02+280225.8) shines with the intensity of about 40 trillion suns, making it one of the oldest, biggest, and brightest objects ever discovered.

Quasars are a type of active galactic nuclei, regions at the center of galaxies which, powered by supermassive black holes, shine dozens or even hundreds of times brighter than the entire surrounding galaxy! They glow for basically the same reason as Cygnus X-1, only on a totally different scale: in order to keep glowing, a quasar must devour the equivalent of over 200 solar masses every year! In this case, however, there’s a twist: the superheated disk of gas spinning around the black hole gets caught up in the object’s intense magnetic fields and is concentrated and sent flying through space at relativistic speeds as huge jets of plasma. When one of these jets is aimed directly at our planet, it is called a blazar, and it’s a good thing they are so far away because being in the sights of one of these things is like being the target of the biggest, most powerful cannon in the entire Universe!

A quasar’s voracious appetite means it can’t shine for too long, since it tends to run out of fuel and eventually stabilize. In fact, most of the quasar’s we’ve discovered are extremely old, which suggests many of them formed in the early Universe and have since died out. So you can think about it this way: whenever astronomers discover another such beast like the one mentioned earlier, it’s just like paleontologists unearthing the skeleton of an ancient dragon. Though they would probably name the thing something more impressive than SDSS J010013.02+280225.8.

Who doesn’t enjoy listening to a good story. Personally I love reading about the people who inspire me and what it took for them to achieve their success. As I am a bit of a self confessed tech geek I think there is no better way to discover these stories than by reading every day some articles or the newspaper . My bookcases are filled with good tech biographies, they remind me that anyone can be a success. So even if you come from an underprivileged part of society or you aren’t the smartest person in the room we all have a chance to reach the top. The same message shines in my beliefs. All it takes to succeed is a good idea, a little risk and a lot of hard work and any geek can become a success. VENI VIDI VICI .

Astronomy

The initial observation of the magnetic fields surrounding the supermassive black hole within our galaxy is quite remarkable

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The team responsible for capturing the initial photograph of a black hole has now unveiled a fresh image of Sagittarius A*, the colossal black hole located at the core of the Milky Way. This new image is observed using polarized light, marking the first instance of such a visual representation. The recorded image depicts the magnetic field patterns encircling the black hole, resembling those observed in the vicinity of M87*. This observation implies the potential presence of robust, twisted, and well-structured magnetic fields within black holes.

In order to create a single array of dimensions equal to Earth’s, radio telescopes located all over the world are utilized by the Event Horizon Telescope, an international collaboration that makes it possible to image a black hole. Should you have that kind of resolution in your vision, you could see a doughnut on the moon. The initial visual representation of Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) and the significantly larger and more potent black hole located at the core of the enormous elliptical galaxy Messier 87 has been provided. In 2021, it successfully detected the magnetic fields of M87*, marking the first instance of a black hole being detected using polarized light.

The team has successfully utilized the polarization of light to visualize the magnetic fields of Sgr A*, marking the first instance of such an application. Light is generated through the oscillation of electromagnetic waves, and when these waves oscillate in a specific direction, they are referred to as polarized. 3D glasses function by utilizing two lenses with distinct polarization, allowing just a portion of the light to enter. This enables our brains to generate a three-dimensional image within our mind. Polarized light reduces glare from strong light sources, allowing the researchers to see the black hole’s edge more clearly and precisely delineate the magnetic field lines inside of it.

“We have acquired polarimetric images of the black hole located at the center of our galaxy, Sgr A*, at the event horizon scale for the first time,” stated Professor Mariafelicia De Laurentis, Deputy Project Scientist at the EHT and professor at the University of Naples Federico II, in an interview .

The polarization of light allows for the observation of a highly intricate and well-organized magnetic structure surrounding the black hole, as depicted in these photos. The inclusion of polarized light in these photographs is critical, as it enables us to visually perceive and comprehend the intricate structure of the magnetic field around the black hole, a vital element that cannot be adequately represented by non-polarized light alone.

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Plasma, composed of charged particles, exhibits motion along the magnetic field lines surrounding a supermassive black hole. When these particles rotate, they generate a polarization pattern on the light that is oriented at a right angle to the magnetic field. The measurement of polarization provides precise information regarding the manner in which the magnetic field is around the supermassive black hole.

According to Professor De Laurentis, the significance of polarization in the examination of black holes lies in its ability to furnish valuable insights on the geometry and dynamics of the magnetic fields encompassing the black hole. These fields are of significant importance in the processes of accretion and jet emissions since they have a direct impact on the observation of black holes and our comprehension of the underlying physics that control these extraordinary entities.

The processes of accretion and jet emissions are not commonly observed in our neighboring supermassive black hole. Sagittarius A* is rather tranquil and serene compared to other black holes, which is advantageous because even at a distance of 26,000 light-years, an active supermassive black hole may still exert a significant influence. These objects have the ability to influence the fate of a whole galaxy.

However, the magnetic fields play a crucial role in the emission of high-energy jets for M87*. The phenomenon of the supermassive black hole emitting jets of particles with velocities approaching the speed of light, spanning around 5,000 light-years from M87*, has been documented. The observation of identical magnetic structures that drive extensive phenomena in M87 within our own supermassive black hole implies the existence of fundamental mechanisms that are common to all black holes.

According to Professor De Laurentis, the magnetic fields play a crucial role in regulating the accumulation of mass within black holes and the expulsion of very intense jets, which are considered to be some of the most remarkable occurrences in the cosmos. Understanding these areas lets us look into the strange things that happen close to black holes, which means testing theories of gravity and magnetohydrodynamics in situations where Einstein’s general relativity is very important.

This image of Sagittarius A* represents a significant advancement in comprehending the behavior of black holes and their impact on the galaxies they inhabit. Additionally, it serves as an excellent platform for testing theoretical models that describe the actions of black holes.

The aforementioned observations signify a significant technical achievement, demonstrating the capability of contemporary astronomy instruments and protocols. According to Professor De Laurentis, their work established a precedent for subsequent observational efforts and theoretical investigations, thereby expanding the frontiers of our comprehension of the cosmos.

The upcoming iteration of the Event Horizon Telescope will exhibit enhanced performance.

The research findings are documented in two scholarly articles published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

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Astronomy

The alteration of Earth’s shape could potentially lead to a worldwide timekeeping crisis

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If no action is taken, global timekeeping may be on the verge of a significant issue that may disrupt various aspects, including computer networks and financial markets. The responsible factor, intriguingly, is the melting of polar ice resulting from climate change.

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is employed globally to establish a uniform and standardized temporal standard, hence facilitating many activities such as communication, navigation, scientific inquiry, and trade.

The calculation of this time measurement is derived from data obtained from approximately 450 atomic clocks, which are highly precise timekeeping systems that utilize the extremely stable “vibrations” of atoms to measure time. Unfortunately, it does not precisely match astronomical time, which is based on the Earth’s rotation.

The Earth’s rotation exceeds the duration of a day as specified by atomic clocks by a few milliseconds, and the speed of the Earth’s spin can fluctuate due to numerous variables. In order to accommodate this, leap seconds are incorporated into the Universal Time Coordinate (UTC) at regular intervals to ensure its synchronization with astronomical time.

Strange and somewhat unfamiliar changes that have been occurring in Earth’s primarily liquid core and solid mantle in recent decades have accelerated its rotation. However, this phenomenon has been attributed to the inclusion of leap seconds.

Currently, novel forces are beginning to arise that have the potential to further disrupt Earth’s rotating velocity and disrupt global timekeeping.

The investigation of Earth’s rotation and its correlation with the melting of polar ice has lately garnered attention from Duncan Carr Agnew, a geophysicist affiliated with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego.

The phenomenon of climate change has resulted in the rapid melting of ice caps in Greenland and Antarctica, leading to significant alterations in the Earth’s form and a more pronounced reduction in its angular velocity compared to previous periods.

Agnew contends that due to the deceleration of Earth’s rotation, the Universal Time Coordinate (UTC) will require a negative leap second, namely a minute with only 59 seconds, around approximately 2029.

“In the past, it was anticipated that leap seconds would consistently yield positive results and occur with increasing frequency.” According to Agnew’s remark, when examining alterations in the Earth’s rotation, which are responsible for leap seconds, and analyzing the underlying factors contributing to these changes, it is highly probable that a negative outcome is probable.

“A single second may not seem significant, but in a modern interconnected society, making a mistake about time could result in significant complications,” he stated.

Irrespective of the phenomenon of climate change, it is probable that alterations in Earth’s liquid core alone may have compelled a negative leap second by the year 2026. Nevertheless, Agnew’s calculations indicate that alterations in the quantity of polar ice have postponed this inevitability by a further three years, reaching 2029. Climate change is currently exerting an impact on the worldwide timekeeping system.

Failure to incorporate the negative leap second may result in global timekeeping becoming unevenly synced, leading to significant disruptions in computer systems and telecommunications networks.

The research’s press release implies that the condition may give rise to a predicament similar to the Y2K bug panic. However, it is worth considering whether this is a genuine issue.

During the late 1990s, there existed a prevailing sense of apprehension regarding the potential failure of computer systems worldwide in the new millennium. This apprehension stemmed from the lack of preparedness of computers to effectively format and store calendar data in and after the year 2000. Individuals came up with the idea of a computer-induced apocalypse in which aircraft would descended from the atmosphere, financial accounts would be reset to their initial balances, and nuclear weapons would deploy automatically. Undoubtedly, the fears were greatly exaggerated, and only a small number of inaccuracies were actually documented.

Considering the unsatisfactory outcomes of the Y2K panic, it would be imprudent to make speculative conjectures regarding the potential trajectory of this novel issue. However, this is a topic that numerous scientists are beginning to contemplate.

“The addition or testing of a negative leap second has not been done before, thus the potential problems it could cause are unprecedented.” In a commentary article about the study, Dr. Patrizia Tavella, Director of the Time Department at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures, states that metrologists worldwide are closely monitoring the ongoing conversation in order to prevent any avoidable hazards.

According to Dr. Tavella, the challenge of implementing the negative leap second and organizing the global effort would be extremely difficult.

The recent research has been published in the esteemed magazine Nature.

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Astronomy

Bezos’s proposal for the inaugural private space station has just achieved four significant milestones

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In the foreseeable future, it is possible for astronauts and ordinary individuals to embark on space flight and reside in the Orbital Reef, which serves as a private space station for extended periods of time and is utilized for commercial activities, scientific research, and tourism. The initiative, led by Sierra Space and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, has set a target to achieve operational status in low-Earth orbit by the year 2027. Notably, it has just successfully completed significant NASA tests.

The NASA-funded commercial space station must provide evidence of the proper functioning of its vital life-support system. The most recent four significant achievements pertained to the domains of air and water purification, storage, and recycling.

In space, no resources are wasted, including garbage. Therefore, it is necessary to remove carbon dioxide from the air and restore oxygen. It is necessary to recover and purify water, including urine, while retaining it within the system. Obtaining fresh air or water in space is both costly and challenging.

According to Angela Hart, the manager of NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program, the achievement of these milestones is of utmost importance in guaranteeing the ability of a commercial destination to sustain human life. This is crucial in order to maintain NASA astronauts’ access to low Earth orbit, enabling them to carry out significant scientific research within the distinctive microgravity environment. Furthermore, the completion of each milestone enables NASA to acquire valuable knowledge regarding our partner’s advancements in station design and development.

One of the examinations centered on the assessment of trace contaminant control, specifically examining the efficacy of filters in eliminating detrimental pollutants from the atmosphere. The water system underwent three distinct testing methods: a water containment oxidation test to evaluate the efficacy of water purification; urine water recovery tests aimed at assessing waste reclamation; and a water tank test to evaluate the storage capacity of the system.

In order to ensure environmental management and the well-being of astronauts, the International Space Station has implemented many systems.

There have been several successful tests conducted on the Orbital Reef in recent times. The inflatable station module LIFE (Large Integrated Flexible Environment) was subjected to extreme testing by Sierra Space in January, ultimately resulting in an explosion. By a margin of 27 percent, LIFE outperformed NASA’s standards.

NASA is providing support to many commercial space stations, like Orbital Reef, through both sponsored and unfunded agreements. As the International Space Station nears its retirement in the coming decade, the human presence in space will undergo significant transformations in the coming years.

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