Chandra X-ray Observatory has reportedly recorded the fastest winds in the universe, discovering a black hole that produces winds in excess of 25 million miles per hour.
The winds, recorded by a team utilizing NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, recorded speed upwards of 25 million miles per hour from the stellar-mass black hole. The recorded speed amounts to 3 percent of the speed of light, or nearly 10 times faster than had ever been seen from a stellar-mass black hole, according to astronomers.
“This is like the cosmic equivalent of winds from a Category 5 hurricane,” said study lead author Ashley King, of the University of Michigan, in a statement. “We weren’t expecting to see such powerful winds from a black hole like this.”
A stellar-mass black hole, which is often the results of a massive star collapse, usually comprises five to 10 times the mass of our sun. The stellar-mass black hole producing the wind is known as IGR J17091-3624.
Researchers said it amounts to a fairly small black hole when compared with those at the center of the galaxy, but its ability to produce energy is far more substantial than objects millions or billions of times more massive.
“It’s a surprise this small black hole is able to muster the wind speeds we typically only see in the giant black holes,” said co-author Jon Miller, also from the University of Michigan. “In other words, this black hole is performing well above its weight class.”
The team also noted that the latest recordings are likely to assist astronomers in better understanding black holes. For example, the team noted that the speed of the winds from the black hole may actually allow material to escape the confines of the massive stellar object.
Astronomers believe that magnetic fields in the disks of black holes are responsible for producing both winds and jets. The geometry of the magnetic fields and rate at which material falls towards the black hole must influence whether jets or winds are produced.
The high speed for the wind was estimated from a spectrum made by Chandra in 2011. A spectrum shows how intense the X-rays are at different energies. Ions emit and absorb distinct features in spectra, which allow scientists to monitor them and their behavior. A Chandra spectrum of iron ions made two months earlier showed no evidence of the high-speed wind, leading to speculation that wind comes and goes over time.
“It’s a surprise this small black hole is able to muster the wind speeds we typically only see in the giant black holes,” said co-author Jon Miller, also from the University of Michigan. “In other words, this black hole is performing well above its weight class.”
The team also noted that the latest recordings are likely to assist astronomers in better understanding black holes. For example, the team noted that the speed of the winds from the black hole may actually allow material to escape the confines of the massive stellar object.
Astronomers believe that magnetic fields in the disks of black holes are responsible for producing both winds and jets. The geometry of the magnetic fields and rate at which material falls towards the black hole must influence whether jets or winds are produced.
The high speed for the wind was estimated from a spectrum made by Chandra in 2011. A spectrum shows how intense the X-rays are at different energies. Ions emit and absorb distinct features in spectra, which allow scientists to monitor them and their behavior. A Chandra spectrum of iron ions made two months earlier showed no evidence of the high-speed wind, leading to speculation that wind comes and goes over time.
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