Astronomy, Stellar, Planetary News
TIME AND SPACE
Astrophysicists explore light echoes to study black holes
illustration only
Astrophysicists explore light echoes to study black holes
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 08, 2024

A research team led by astrophysicists from the Institute for Advanced Study has introduced a groundbreaking technique to identify light echoes around black holes. This approach, which enables precise measurements of a black hole's mass and spin, offers a new avenue beyond traditional methods to study these cosmic phenomena.

Published in 'The Astrophysical Journal Letters', the study outlines a method leveraging gravitational lensing, a process where light bends around black holes due to their immense gravity. This bending causes light from a single source to follow multiple paths to Earth - some rays taking direct routes, while others loop around the black hole, creating observable "echoes" that arrive at different times.

"Light circling around black holes and producing echoes has been theorized for years, but these echoes have yet to be directly observed," said lead author George N. Wong, Frank and Peggy Taplin Member at the Institute's School of Natural Sciences and Associate Research Scholar at the Princeton Gravity Initiative. "Our method provides a roadmap for capturing these measurements, potentially transforming our understanding of black hole physics."

The technique isolates these faint echo signatures from the stronger direct light using advanced interferometric telescopes, such as the Event Horizon Telescope. Both Wong and co-author Lia Medeiros, a NASA Einstein Fellow at Princeton University, have previously collaborated with the Event Horizon Telescope.

To validate their technique, Wong, Medeiros, and colleagues, including James Stone and Alejandro Cardenas-Avendano, conducted high-resolution simulations. These simulations modeled light around a supermassive black hole similar to M87', the black hole at the center of the M87 galaxy, located 55 million light-years from Earth. Their findings demonstrated that this method could accurately determine the echo delay, suggesting broad applicability to other black holes.

"This method offers a new way to verify light orbiting a black hole while also allowing us to measure the black hole's core properties," Medeiros explained.

Understanding these characteristics is crucial. "Black holes significantly influence the universe's evolution," Wong stated. "They don't just pull matter in - they emit large amounts of energy, impacting galaxy formation, star development, and the overall structure of galaxies. Knowing black hole mass and spin distributions, and how they change over time, deepens our cosmic insight."

Determining a black hole's mass and spin poses challenges, particularly due to the nature of the accretion disk, a swirling mass of hot gas spiraling toward the black hole. According to Wong, light echoes offer an independent metric, enabling scientists to derive reliable mass and spin estimates. Medeiros added, "These independent measurements help us form trustworthy assessments of black hole properties."

The potential to detect light echoes could also enhance tests of Einstein's theories of gravity. "With this method, we may find unusual results that challenge our understanding," said Medeiros. "Such findings would allow us to verify if black holes align with general relativity."

The study suggests that these echoes might be observed through a "very long baseline interferometry" approach, involving telescopes on Earth and in space. Wong noted that the technique could enable a manageable, efficient mission to collect essential black hole data.

Research Report:Measuring Black Hole Light Echoes with Very Long Baseline Interferometry

Related Links
Institute for Advanced Study
Understanding Time and Space

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
TIME AND SPACE
Centaurus A's black hole jet shown in unprecedented detail
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Oct 29, 2024
Researchers from the University of Michigan have uncovered new insights into black hole jets by analyzing over two decades of data from NASA's Chandra X-Ray Observatory. This investigation provides a fresh look at the complex dynamics of these enigmatic cosmic structures. The study centers on the high-energy jet of particles ejected from the supermassive black hole at the core of the galaxy Centaurus A. Black hole jets are observable across various wavelengths, with telescopes capable of detecting ... read more

TIME AND SPACE
Uranus moon Miranda may hold a hidden ocean below its surface

NASA and SpaceX Set for Europa Clipper Launch on October 14

NASA probe Europa Clipper lifts off for Jupiter's icy moon

Is life possible on a Jupiter moon? NASA goes to investigate

TIME AND SPACE
TIME AND SPACE
A new model estimates odds of intelligent life across universes

Optimal Learning Rates Revealed in New Study on Adaptation

Ariel spacecraft prepares for rigorous tests at Airbus facility

Microbes thrive on iron in oxygen-free environments

TIME AND SPACE
Chinese rover finds signs of ancient ocean on Mars

Peculiar Pale Pebbles

Off-the-shelf thermoelectric generators could enable CO2 conversion on Mars

Ancient Martian waterways carved beneath icy caps

TIME AND SPACE
Fugro supports debut of Lunar Terrain Vehicle prototype

ispace, GISTDA, and mu Space Partner for Thai Lunar Exploration Initiative

Sidus Space chosen to build Lunar Data Storage Spacecraft for Lonestar

GMV completes FASTNAV project advancing lunar rover capabilities

TIME AND SPACE
Breakthrough in photonic time crystals may transform light control technologies

Asteroid grains shed light on the outer Solar System's origins

Astronomers challenge traditional galaxy formation theories

Dance of particles tracked in neutron star collision yields insights into heavy elements

TIME AND SPACE
China launches new set of remote-sensing satellites

Microplastics influence cloud formation, potentially shaping weather and climate

UChicago scientist crafts new model to enhance forecasting of atmospheric rivers

Satellite imagery offers a way to shield coastal forests from climate impacts

TIME AND SPACE
NEOWISE concludes mission with re-entry but data continues to fuel discovery

Taurid meteor shower to reach peak visibility

Illuminating ancient origins of 4BN year-old Asteroid Ryugu

Hera's CubeSats call home from Deep Space

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.