Astronomers, with the help of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), have made an exciting discovery in a distant galaxy. Similar to the famous Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone National Park, this galaxy experiences regular eruptions approximately every 114 days.
To study these outbursts, scientists used different telescopes and instruments that can detect various wavelengths of light. By combining their observations, they obtained detailed images of the recurring events.
NASA Discovers Predictable Eruptions in Distant Galaxy
The team believes that these eruptions are caused by a supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy. As it partially consumes a large orbiting star, it releases bursts of energy, similar to how Old Faithful releases jets of water.
This galaxy, called ASASSN-14ko, was first discovered in 2014. Initially, astronomers thought it was a supernova, a one-time event that destroys a star. However, further analysis revealed a series of evenly spaced flares that occur every 114 days. Each flare reaches its brightest point in about five days before gradually fading.
The researchers successfully predicted and observed subsequent flares by coordinating observations with ground- and space-based facilities. TESS, designed to search for exoplanets, provided valuable data on one of the flares in 2018.
After considering different possibilities, the astronomers propose that the most likely explanation for these repeating flares is a partial tidal disruption event. This occurs when a star gets too close to a black hole and is ripped apart by intense gravitational forces, resulting in a stream of gas. When this gas strikes the black hole’s surrounding disk, it creates bright flares.
The team plans to continue observing these predicted outbursts to gain more knowledge about this phenomenon. By studying such events, scientists hope to uncover new insights into the behavior of active galaxies.
NASA’s TESS and Swift missions, along with other observatories, play a crucial role in expanding our understanding of the universe. Their observations provide valuable data that helps scientists explore and unravel the mysteries of celestial objects and their behaviors.