Astronomers have discovered a wandering black hole after the death of a star

Astronomers have discovered a massive black hole located about 30,000 light-years from the center of the parent galaxy. It was possible to see the previously hidden object thanks to a flash that occurred during the destruction of a nearby star. This was reported on July 27 by the news portal Phys.org .

The recorded phenomenon was designated TDE 2025abcr. It refers to tidal disruption events: when a star approaches a massive black hole, powerful gravitational forces tear it apart, and heated matter forms a bright flash.

Such events are rarely recorded — on average, they occur about once every 100,000 years in one galaxy. Most of the known flares of this type have been observed in galactic centers, where the most massive black holes are usually located. However, TDE 2025abcr originated at a distance of about 9.3 kiloparsecs, or 30,000 light-years, from the galactic core.

According to the study, the mass of the discovered black hole is estimated at about 1 million times the mass of the Sun. Scientists are considering two possible explanations for her unusual position. The object could have been ejected from the center of the galaxy as a result of gravitational interaction with other black holes. Another version suggests that it remained in the center of a small satellite galaxy, almost completely destroyed during the merger with a larger system.

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A machine learning algorithm that analyzed the light curves of objects helped to detect the flash. Experts have adapted the system to search for tidal disruption events beyond the galactic cores. Previously, such areas were often excluded from the selection of potential candidates. After detecting the signal, its nature was confirmed using the 4.1-meter SOAR telescope in Chile. Observations have shown that the radiation corresponds to the destruction of a star by a massive black hole.

The authors believe that ground-based optical telescopes can be used to systematically search for wandering black holes. After the start of full-fledged observations of the Vera Rubin Observatory, astronomers expect to discover dozens of similar objects every year. This will make it possible to more accurately determine how black holes move inside galaxies and what happens to them after galactic mergers.

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Phys.org On July 6, he reported the discovery of a new type of flare in black holes. Scientists have studied the galaxy SDSS J110546.07+145202.4 and found out that the radiation source is located near its central black hole. According to the study, in the case of this particular object, the radio signal not only showed no signs of weakening for several years, but also increased by more than 20 times.