Collision between black hole and 'mysterious object' puzzles astronomers

CNET ^ | June 23, 2020 | Jackson Ryan

[BenLurkin]

On Aug. 14, 2019, a gravitational wave -- a massive ripple through the fabric of space-time -- washed over the Earth.

The signal was one of the strongest ever seen by the gravitational wave scientists at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory and Italy's Virgo observatory. After an alert was sent out moments after detection, teams of astronomers across the world turned their telescopes to the point in space that the wave emanated from.

But their searches came up empty. No light, no X-rays, no infrared, no gamma rays.

On Tuesday, researchers from the LIGO and Virgo collaborations detail their full analysis of the gravitational wave detection, dubbed GW190814...It's the first detailed study of the epic cosmic collision, and it only deepens the mystery.

The observations show GW190814 pair collided around in a deep corner of space, 800 million light-years away. One half of the pair is definitely a black hole, about 23 times more massive than our sun. But its dancing partner is mysterious -- the other object is only around 2.6 times more massive than our sun, which puts it in a weird position. It could be a neutron star, that possibility is still on the table, but it might also be a black hole.

Scientists have never detected a black hole that's so light. Neutron stars are not expected to be that heavy -- they collapse into black holes when they get too big. So the mysterious object seems to be some sort of Goldilocks star that doesn't fit our current understanding.

Intriguingly, if it is an ultra-heavy neutron star, Smith says "perhaps even new physics would be required to explain it." If it's a light black hole, then our understanding of how and where the light-hungry cosmic beasts form will be rewritten.

[Darksheare]

For some reason the episode “White Hole” from the tv show Red Dwarf came to mind.

[redfreedom]

The title of this thread sounds awfully racist to me.

[dp0622]

lol

I wish evil uhura would show up

[DannyTN]

[freedumb2003]

sounds like the democrat potus ticket.

[angmo]

Cthulhu

[Songcraft]

In light of his deep interest in the realms of space, has Joe Biden been made aware of this scientific discovery?

[Mastador1]

I felt a great disturbance in the Force. As if millions of voices cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened.

[dfwgator]

I felt a great disturbance in the Force. As if millions of voices cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened.

Fluke Starbucker : Jeepers! What is it, Augie Ben Doggie? Did you feel a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced?

Auggie Ben Doggie : No, just a little headache.

[july4thfreedomfoundation]

I thought this was going to be an Obama thread.

[adorno]

BHM?

Black Holes Matter.

Except Whoopie’s.

[SunkenCiv]

Is it even possible? Yes, it is.

[SunkenCiv]

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[SunkenCiv]

Thanks BenLurkin.

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[SunkenCiv]

...a gravitational wave -- a massive ripple through the fabric of space-time -- washed over the Earth... No light, no X-rays, no infrared, no gamma rays... if it is an ultra-heavy neutron star, Smith says "perhaps even new physics would be required to explain it." If it's a light black hole, then our understanding of how and where the light-hungry cosmic beasts form will be rewritten.

[Bullish]

They crossed the streams?

[Track9]

its the democrat party and john bolton.

[grey_whiskers]

[PTBAA]

Interesting. On that day I distinctly remember feeling a disturbance in the Force.

[Army Air Corps]

It was the Dust Bunnies.