Universe  ID: 10253

Scientists Watch Baby Black Hole Get to Work Fast

Released on September 26, 2008
Scientists using NASA's Swift satellite say they have found newborn black holes, just seconds old, in a confused state of existence, sloppily gorging on material falling into them while somehow propelling other material away at great speeds. These black holes are born in massive star explosions. An initial blast obliterates the star. Yet the chaotic black hole activity appears to re-energize the explosion again and again over the course of several minutes. This is a dramatically different view of star death, one that entails multiple explosive outbursts and not just a single bang, as previously thought.

When a massive star runs out of fuel, it no longer has the energy to support its mass. The core collapses and forms a black hole. Shockwaves bounce out and obliterate the outer shells of the star. Previously scientists thought that a single explosion is followed by a graceful afterglow of the dying embers. Now, according to Swift observations, it appears that a newborn black hole in the core somehow re-energizes the explosion again and again, creating multiple bursts all within a few minutes.

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This animation depicts what happens to the most massive stars when they die.
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This animation depicts what happens to the most massive stars when they die but has more stars in the background of the animation.

For More Information

http://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/watchtheskies/double_burst.html

Credits

Dana Berry (Skyworks Digital): Lead Animator
Elizabeth A. Smith (HTSI): Producer
Neil Gehrels (NASA/GSFC): Scientist
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center/Dana Berry

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https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/10253

Mission:
Swift

Data Used:
Swift
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This item is part of this series:
Astrophysics Animations

Goddard TV Tape:
G2006-007 -- Highlights from NASA's Structure and Evolution of the Universe Theme - 2005

Keywords:
DLESE >> Space science
GCMD >> Earth Science >> Spectral/Engineering >> Gamma Ray
SVS >> Black Hole
SVS >> Gamma Ray Burst
SVS >> Astrophysics
SVS >> Universe
SVS >> Space
SVS >> Swift
SVS >> Gamma Ray Observatory
SVS >> Supernova
NASA Science >> Universe

GCMD keywords can be found on the Internet with the following citation: Olsen, L.M., G. Major, K. Shein, J. Scialdone, S. Ritz, T. Stevens, M. Morahan, A. Aleman, R. Vogel, S. Leicester, H. Weir, M. Meaux, S. Grebas, C.Solomon, M. Holland, T. Northcutt, R. A. Restrepo, R. Bilodeau, 2013. NASA/Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Earth Science Keywords. Version 8.0.0.0.0