Scientists have discovered a black hole that rotates sideways
Researchers working at the University of Turku in Finland have discovered that the axis of rotation of a black hole located in a binary star system is tilted by more than 40 degrees relative to the orbital axis of the star. The findings challenge existing theoretical models of black hole formation.
The new observation by researchers working at the Tuorla Observatory in Finland is the first reliable measurement to show that there is a big difference between the axis of rotation of a black hole and the orbital axis of a binary star system Dec This difference, which the researchers measured between the axes in a binary star system called MAXI Dec1820+070, is more than 40 degrees.
In general, in space systems with smaller bodies orbiting a giant body in the center, the axis of rotation of the central body is in harmony with the axes of rotation of its satellites to a high degree. This is also the case in our own solar system: the planets rotate around the Sun in a plane that almost coincides with the equatorial plane of the Sun. This curve on the axis of rotation of the Sun is only seven degrees relative to the axis of the Earth's orbit.
FORMED BY THE COLLAPSE OF A GIANT STAR
Juri Poutanen, professor of astronomy at the University of Turku and lead author of the new study, was quoted as saying: “The expectation of alignment mostly does not apply to strange objects such as black hole X-ray binaries. The black holes in these systems were formed by the collapse of a giant star as a result of a cosmic disaster. We can see that it is drawing matter from near the black hole, that is, from the star that is rotating around it and is lighter. The last time we see matter falling into a black hole is in the form of bright optics and X-ray radiation. We can see the radio waves emitted by the relativistic jets ejected from the system.”
The researchers who followed these jets managed to determine very precisely the direction of the axis of rotation of the black hole. As the amount of gas falling from the companion star into the black hole subsequently began to decrease, the star's light dimmed and most of the light in the system began to come from the companion star. Thanks to this, scientists were able to measure the orbital inclination using spectrum measurement methods. It was also stated that this measurement almost coincides with the inclination of the launched jets.
