Discovery of a Supermassive Black Hole

In an astonishing discovery, astronomers have identified a supermassive black hole, approximately six times the mass of our Sun, currently devouring a colossal star while emitting an extraordinary amount of radiation into the depths of space. This cosmic spectacle is occurring within the V4641 Sagittarii system, located about 20,000 light-years away from our planet in the direction of the Sagittarius constellation.

Characteristics of the Devoured Star

The star at the center of this cosmic event is a giant, three solar masses in size, and the radiation detected comes in the form of high-energy gamma rays. Remarkably, scientists have detected photons with an incredible energy of 200 teraelectronvolts (TeV), a staggering amount far exceeding typical levels found in similar cosmic phenomena.

Nature and Classification of V4641 Sagittarii

Gamma rays are predominantly produced in quasars, the luminous cores of distant galaxies hosting supermassive black holes. What makes V4641 Sagittarii particularly fascinating is that it is classified as a "microquasar," a smaller version of a quasar. These microquasars typically emit lower energy photons, usually in the range of tens of gigaelectronvolts. However, this new finding indicates that we are witnessing extraordinary phenomena as V4641 Sagittarii emits energy levels tens of thousands of times higher than what is typically seen in microquasars.

Scientific Observations and Discoveries

Sabrina Casanova from the Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences noted the unprecedented nature of these findings. “We’ve observed something quite incredible in the data... photons coming from a microquasar in our own galaxy, and yet carrying such astonishing energies,” she stated.

Detection Method and Equipment

The high-energy gamma rays were detected using the High-Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) observatory, located on the slopes of the extinct Sierra Negra volcano in Mexico. This advanced facility is equipped with 300 large steel tanks filled with purified water, designed to observe high-energy particles. When these particles interact with the water, they produce a cascade of secondary particles that travel faster than light in water, generating a phenomenon called Cherenkov radiation—similar to a sonic boom but in electromagnetic form.

Impact of the Discovery