Runaway Black Holes [UPSC Notes]

According to a new study report, a ‘Runaway’ black hole is spotted tearing through the universe. The incredible sight was identified by the Hubble Space Telescope. This topic is important for the IAS exam science and technology segment of GS paper III.

What are Runaway Black Holes?

A runaway black hole is a black hole that has launched itself from its galaxy, perhaps after a struggle with two other black holes.

• Around 50 million years ago, two galaxies that had two supermassive black holes at their centres combined, releasing the runaway black hole. 
• A “chaotic and unstable structure” was created when a third galaxy with its own supermassive black hole entered the picture.
• The supermassive black hole is moving so quickly that it would take it just 14 minutes to traverse from Earth to the moon.

Image source: NASA

How did the runaway black holes form?

• The gas around the black hole is either being “shocked” and heated by the black hole itself, or the process is brought on by radiation coming from the accretion disc that surrounds the black hole.
• They interacted as a binary black hole when their centres were near to one another.
• The situation became unstable when a supermassive black hole from a third galaxy was added to the mix.
• Once beyond the host galaxy, one of the black holes may have picked up speed from one of the other two.
• It has been travelling quickly ever since, leaving a trail of newly formed stars in its wake.

What is a Black Hole?

• In space, a black hole is a region where gravity is so strong that even light cannot escape. Because the substance is compressed into such a small area, gravity is extremely intense. 
• While a star is dying, this may take place. People cannot perceive black holes because no light can escape from them.

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