It's definitely not an optical illusion.
, astronomers used NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telephone Array to observe a ULX designated M82 X-2 that'stimes brighter than the Sun, and confirmed that it does actually exceed the Eddington limit — no tricks of the light required.
As such, astronomers used to think that ULXs were black holes that surrounded themselves with enough gas and dust that gradually heated up over time, eventually radiating light. This explanation would avoid the Eddington limit being defied., the incredibly dense core of a once massive star that collapsed in on itself without forming a black hole. As some of the densest objects in the universe, neutron stars wield a gravitational pull about 100 trillion times stronger than Earth's.
Proving that this would be enough to produce sufficient light to constitute a ULX is a whole other can of worms, however.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cosmic Collisions: Dwarf Galaxies With Giant Black Holes Unveil Early Universe SecretsAstronomers discovered the first evidence of giant black holes in colliding dwarf galaxies, offering important insights into early universe galaxy formation and black hole growth. The findings were made using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, WISE, and CFHT data. Astronomers have discovered the f
Read more »
Strange Life Forms Could Be Hiding in Cosmic 'Computational Zones' Says New StudyAstronomers are currently searching for signs of life in the 'habitable zones' of nearby stars, which is defined as the band around a star where liquid water can potentially exist.
Read more »
Cosmic Cartography: MIT Astronomers Map “Disk Winds” in a Distant Neutron Star SystemThe 2D map of this “disk wind” may reveal clues to galaxy formation. MIT astronomers have successfully mapped the vertical shape and structure of disk winds in the Hercules X-1 system, marking the first time such winds have been observed in two dimensions. The team took advantage of the neutron sta
Read more »
The Marvels’ first trailer is an introduction to the MCU’s newest cosmic teamCarol Danvers, Monica Rambeau, and Kamala Khan are all back in the first trailer for The Marvels
Read more »
‘The Marvels’ Images Reveal Brie Larson, Iman Vellani, and Teyonah Parris' Cosmic AdventureBrie Larson, Iman Vellani, and Teyonah Parris go on a cosmic adventure in new images from TheMarvels.
Read more »
Everything We Spotted in The Marvels' Totally Cosmic TrailerKamala, Monica, and Carol's team up switch up is giving us plenty of tastes of the current state of the MCU's cosmic reaches.
Read more »