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Nasa investigating distant galaxy mysteriously shooting flares out every 114 days
Nasa investigating distant galaxy mysteriously shooting flares out every 114 days
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) is investigating a distant galaxy that erupts once roughly every 114 days and has been spotted 570 million light-years away.
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File image for representation only: Reuters
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) is investigating a distant galaxy that erupts once roughly every 114 days and has been spotted 570 million light-years away.
According to Nasa, scientists have studied 20 repeated outbursts, classified as ASASSN-14ko, as observed by its Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) by measuring different wavelengths of light.
NASA probing why a distant galaxy has been shooting out flares every 114 days
If NASA scientists are able to confirm that a supermassive black hole at the centre of the galaxy is causing the light fluctuations, it would greatly enhance our understanding of the Universe. January 20, 2021 / 06:37 PM IST
A distant galaxy, located 570 million light-years away from us, has been mysteriously shooting out flares every 114 days (Image: NASA)
A distant galaxy, located 570 million light-years away from us, has been mysteriously shooting out flares every 114 days and the US space agency NASA has launched an investigation to understand what is causing it.
“Old Faithful” cosmic eruption shows black hole ripping at star
You’ve heard of Old Faithful, the Yellowstone National Park geyser that erupts every hour or two, a geological phenomenon on a nearly predictable schedule.
Now, an international group of scientists who study space have discovered an astronomical “Old Faithful” – an eruption of light flashing about once every 114 days on a nearly predictable schedule. The researchers believe it is a tidal disruption event, a phenomenon that happens when a star gets so close to a black hole that the black hole “rips” away pieces of the star, causing the flare.