UNAWE Space Scoop - A Rule-Breaking Supermassive Black Hole

UNAWE Space Scoop - A Rule-Breaking Supermassive Black Hole

Author: 365DaysOfAstronomy.org April 9, 2026 Duration: 3:51

https://spacescoop.org/en/scoops/2602/a-rule-breaking-supermassive-black-hole/

Astronomers have spotted a supermassive black hole, or SMBH, that is breaking all the rules! Well, one rule anyway. It's called eROSITA Final Equatorial Depth Survey, or eFEDS, J084222.9+001000. Whew! It is also called ID830, don't ask me why, so that's what I'll call it. Way easier!

 

Anyway…

Most galaxies have a supermassive black hole at their center. They grow by sucking down clouds of gas & dust nearby - like a powerful vacuum cleaner in space. As the black hole, uh, eats, the gas swirls inward and heats up the surroundings, making it 'glow' in all kinds of light. 

 

Sometimes astronomers see this as a bright flare in X-ray light, and sometimes as jets, glowing in radio light. There is a speed limit, of a sort, for how fast SMBHs can eat, called the Eddington limit. It's named after Sir Arthur Eddington who first proposed this natural limit to stellar luminosity.

 

If they eat too fast, the gas heats up and the energy released by the hot gas, lots of different kinds of light radiation, begins to push back on the incoming gas flowing in behind it, slowing things down. 

 

Kinda like a traffic jam.

 

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Imagine a daily conversation about the cosmos, where each sunrise brings a fresh perspective from a different corner of the globe. That’s the essence of The 365 Days of Astronomy. Born from the spirit of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy, this enduring project has evolved into a genuine community effort, releasing a new episode every single day. You won’t hear the same host each time; instead, the microphone passes to astronomers, educators, enthusiasts, and scientists, each sharing their unique passion and expertise. This structure means the tone and topic can shift wonderfully from one day to the next-you might delve into the mechanics of a black hole on Tuesday and then explore ancient celestial myths on Wednesday. The consistent thread is a shared wonder for the universe, presented in accessible, bite-sized pieces. Managed by Avivah Yamani and edited by Richard Drumm, this daily podcast is a production of the Planetary Science Institute, sustained by listener support. It’s a calendar of the cosmos, offering a daily moment of reflection and discovery that proves you don’t need a telescope to have your perspective shifted. Tuning in regularly builds a habit of cosmic curiosity, connecting the vastness of space to the rhythm of our own days.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 269

The 365 Days of Astronomy
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