Hubble reveals stunning new details of galaxy IC 4709's black hole
The Hubble Space Telescope has once again delivered extraordinary images from the distant corners of the universe. This time, its subject of observation was the galaxy IC 4709, located 240 million light-years away in the constellation Microscopium. In the picture,
The telescope captured the bright centre, a star-rich disc, and the surrounding galaxy's misty, translucent halo. Astronomers were particularly interested in the galactic centre, which harbours a "gargantuan" black hole with a mass of 65 million solar masses. Scientists have thoroughly analysed this incredible phenomenon.
Depressions in the galaxy's structure and the interactions of gas attracted by the black hole are visible due to the exceptional resolution of the Hubble Telescope. The gas heats up so much that it emits light across various electromagnetic waves—from infrared through visible light to X-rays.
In a spiral path, the gas forming the disc falls onto it, heating up as it gains increasing rotational speed, scientists report.
NASA unveiled new images of a neighbouring galaxy
Unfortunately, visible light coming from the galaxy's core is blocked by a dust lane, but thanks to the advanced technology of the Hubble Telescope, this does not hinder the obtaining a detailed image of the interactions in the galactic core.
This information is crucial for understanding supermassive black holes present in galaxies much more distant than IC 4709, where separating such fine details is not possible.
Scientists hope the NASA SWIFT telescope will provide additional data on the core of galaxy IC 4709 and other galaxies, enabling observations in visible light, ultraviolet, and X-ray ranges. The European satellite Euclid may support it. These observations aim better to understand black holes and their impact on galaxies.
