Supermassive Black Hole Hiccups

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What is the newly observed behavior of the supermassive black hole?

It is releasing bursts of radiation at irregular intervals.

It is emitting periodic plumes of gas every 8.5 days. (correct)

It is rotating at a faster rate than previously thought.

It is attracting surrounding galaxies towards itself.

What is the proposed explanation for the periodic outbursts from the black hole?

The black hole is consuming a nearby star.

The black hole is being influenced by a nearby galaxy.

The black hole is experiencing internal instabilities.

The black hole is interacting with a smaller black hole orbiting it. (correct)

How do the findings challenge the conventional understanding of black hole accretion disks?

They imply that accretion disks are not as massive as previously believed.

They indicate that accretion disks rotate in the opposite direction than previously thought.

They propose that accretion disks are not composed of gas.

They suggest that accretion disks are not uniform disks of gas. (correct)

According to the study, what might be present in black hole accretion disks?

Other black holes and entire stars. Signup and view all the answers

What does the study author, Dheeraj Pasham, imply about the current understanding of black holes?

There are still many unknown aspects of black hole behavior. Signup and view all the answers

How far away is the galaxy containing the observed black hole?

800 million light-years Signup and view all the answers

What was the main observation that led to the discovery reported in the study?

The periodic dips in the X-ray emissions observed by NICER every 8.5 days during the galaxy's flare. Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial trigger that prompted the researchers to study the galaxy's flare?

A community alert from the ASAS-SN survey about a sudden burst of light from the galaxy. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 8.5-day periodic dips observed in the galaxy's X-ray emissions?

It is evidence of a previously unknown type of astronomical object or phenomenon in the galaxy. Signup and view all the answers

Which telescope played a crucial role in detecting the periodic dips in the galaxy's X-ray emissions?

The NICER (Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer) telescope aboard the International Space Station Signup and view all the answers

According to the study, what is the expected impact of the findings on future research?

The findings suggest the existence of more systems exhibiting similar periodic signals, which will require further data collection and analysis. Signup and view all the answers

Supermassive Black Hole Hiccups

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Questions and Answers

What is the newly observed behavior of the supermassive black hole?

What is the proposed explanation for the periodic outbursts from the black hole?

How do the findings challenge the conventional understanding of black hole accretion disks?

According to the study, what might be present in black hole accretion disks?

What does the study author, Dheeraj Pasham, imply about the current understanding of black holes?

How far away is the galaxy containing the observed black hole?

What was the main observation that led to the discovery reported in the study?

What was the initial trigger that prompted the researchers to study the galaxy's flare?

What is the significance of the 8.5-day periodic dips observed in the galaxy's X-ray emissions?

Which telescope played a crucial role in detecting the periodic dips in the galaxy's X-ray emissions?

According to the study, what is the expected impact of the findings on future research?

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