A new study using observations from the Event Horizon Telescope reveals that the supermassive black hole M87* exhibits a dynamic and turbulent plasma environment.
M87* , the supermassive black hole at the heart of the galaxy Messier 87, was the first black hole ever imaged by humanity. However, its feeding habits are far from graceful. Located 55 million light-years from Earth, this behemoth weighs in at 6.5 billion times the mass of our sun. A team of scientists using the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) has analyzed images captured of M87* in April 2017 and April 2018, revealing a dynamic and turbulent environment around the black hole.
These observations were combined with advanced computer simulations to provide a deeper understanding of how M87* accretes matter.The 2018 images showed a shift in the brightest section of the plasma ring surrounding the black hole, compared to the 2017 images. This shift, estimated at about 30 degrees counterclockwise, is attributed to turbulence within the plasma ring. This finding underscores the constantly evolving nature of the plasma structures near the event horizon, offering valuable insights into the mechanisms governing black hole environments. The first image of M87* was released to the public in 2019, showcasing its distinctive bright golden ring—a manifestation of plasma swirling around the black hole's event horizon at nearly the speed of light. This image closely aligned with theoretical predictions based on Albert Einstein's theory of gravity. The EHT team continues to analyze data from 2021 and 2022, aiming to unravel the intricate interplay between plasma dynamics and the black hole's spin. This ongoing research promises to shed further light on the mysteries of black hole environments and their influence on the surrounding cosmos
BLACK HOLES M87* EVENT HORIZON TELESCOPE PLASMA ACCRETION GALAXIES
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