An international team of researchers has made a remarkable discovery by identifying potential signs of an intermediate-mass black hole located in the constellation IRS 13 near the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy.
This discovery provides new insights into the role of these black holes in the formation of supermassive black holes as well as the trends in stellar clusters.
While studying a constellation of stars in the region surrounding the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) at the center of the Milky Way, a team of researchers led by Dr. Florian PeiBker of the Institute of Astrophysics has shown signs of another mid-mass black hole.
Intermediate-mass black holes are rare and difficult to detect. Despite extensive research efforts, only 10 intermediate-mass black holes have been discovered in the entire universe to date.
Scientists believe they formed shortly after the Big Bang. By merging, they act as “seeds” for supermassive black holes. The discovery is a milestone in our understanding of black hole formation and the evolution of galaxies.
The IRS 13 constellation analyzed is located 0.1 light-years from the center of our galaxy, which is astronomically close. The researchers said the stars in IRS 13 moved in a surprisingly orderly manner, since they had previously assumed that the stars were arranged randomly. The team’s detailed study of IRS 13 also revealed complex movements within the constellation and its interactions with its environment.
The discovery of an intermediate-mass black hole in the constellation IRS 13 near the center of the Milky Way reveals a new aspect of the formation and evolution of supermassive black holes. In addition, the distance between IRS 13 and Sgr A* also serves as a unique laboratory for studying the interactions between black holes and stellar clusters in highly volatile environments.
Future research with next-generation telescopes promises to deepen our understanding of these astronomical phenomena and the role they play in the formation and evolution of galaxies. As scientists continue to unravel the mysteries of black holes, these discoveries will help shed light on the complex processes that shape the universe.
The identification of an intermediate-mass black hole in the constellation IRS 13 also represents a major advance in our understanding of black holes and their role in the universe.