Top 5 Black Hole Discoveries of 2024: Plasma Jet, Intermediate Black Hole, and More

Black holes, known for their unmatched gravitational force and mysterious characteristics, remain a focal point of scientific exploration. This year brought remarkable discoveries, advancing the understanding of black holes' role in shaping galaxies and their enigmatic behaviours. From the detection of an intermediate black hole to uncovering plasma jets spanning millions of light-years, these findings have captured global attention.

Below is a detailed account of these significant developments as reported by Live Science.

Intermediate Black Hole Detected in the Milky Way

A black hole candidate located in the IRS 13 star cluster, near the Milky Way's central supermassive black hole Sagittarius A*, could represent a rare "missing link." Scientists believe confirming its existence would provide crucial insights into how smaller black holes evolve into their supermassive counterparts.

Plasma Jets Stretching Across the Cosmos

A black hole named Porphyrion was discovered ejecting plasma jets that span an astonishing 23 million light-years. Equivalent to 140 Milky Way galaxies laid end to end, these jets are among the largest structures ever observed and highlight black holes' extraordinary ability to shape their cosmic environment.

Heartbeat Signals Decoded

Researchers have unravelled the mystery behind periodic light pulses detected in X-ray flares emitted by black holes. The signals, resembling a heartbeat, are thought to result from shock waves travelling through material consumed by the black hole, providing a glimpse into the physics of their feeding process.

Sagittarius A's Unusual Spin Explained*

The Milky Way's central black hole, Sagittarius A*, exhibits a peculiar rotational axis. Observations by the Event Horizon Telescope suggest this odd spin resulted from a massive collision between two black holes, offering evidence of such events in galactic centres.

Dormant Black Hole Awakens

Astronomers observed a previously dormant black hole springing back to life, likely due to new material being drawn in. While such reactivations are rare, they provide a rare opportunity to study how black holes transition between states of activity.