In February 2024, astronomers observed a peculiar phenomenon occurring in a galaxy located 300 light-years from Earth.
An enormous flare of X-ray light erupted from the ultra-massive black hole at its center, reaching brightness levels 10 times higher and emitting 100 times more energy than previously recorded.
Whatever unfolded in that distant black hole was nothing short of extraordinary.
After meticulously monitoring the situation for over a year, astronomers have come to realize they may have witnessed one of the universe’s most dramatic events.
Bright Light, Black Hole
According to the study, the flare observed in April 2025 could indicate that the black hole (dubbed Ansky) has begun to consume surrounding gas and dust.
This scenario may evoke the image of a colossal vacuum in the universe, but the reality is somewhat different.
While nothing can escape from the black hole’s grasp, this intense hold reaches only up to the event horizon.
Beyond that limit, gravity draws gas and dust towards the black hole, creating what are known as accretion disks.
Typically, these disks orbit quietly around black holes, as seen at the heart of our galaxy, but they lack excitement.
That changes when something disrupts the disk. Environments near black holes are incredibly extreme, so even minor turbulence can cause gas to overheat, producing a bright glow.
In certain instances, black holes transform into active galactic nuclei, gathering more dust and gas from their surroundings and funneling some towards the event horizon.
This resulting chaos leads to excessive heating of the gas, which shines brilliantly, overshadowing the stars in its host galaxy.
The Black Hole Awakens
Astronomers have observed shifts in black holes from one state to another, particularly noting those that were previously dormant now burning brightly.
This is when scientists, like Lorena Hernandez Garcia from Valparaiso University in Chile, first detected flares emanating from Ansky, initially suspecting a tidal disruption event.
“These eruptions typically correlate with interactions between compact objects like stars and other black holes, or dense rings of gas and dust circling the black holes,” Hernandez Garcia stated in BBC Science Focus.
If an object nears the event horizon, the extreme gravity can tear it apart, resulting in a brilliant flash as each fragment approaches the black hole.
However, Hernández-García notes that “Ansky does not exhibit typical signs of tidal disruption events seen in other systems. There’s no evidence of such chaotic disruption. While we can’t entirely rule out the possibility of stars being torn apart, it would certainly be an unusual case.”
Instead, Hernández-García believes that Ansky’s unusual behavior offers a unique glimpse into a small black hole transitioning into an active galactic nucleus.
“We think we are witnessing galaxies undergoing the ‘on-switch.’ That central black hole is starting to feed again,” stated Hernandez Garcia.
If accurate, Ansky presents astronomers with an unparalleled opportunity to observe one of the universe’s most significant transformations.
Catching a Waking Black Hole
One challenge astronomers face in capturing this phenomenon is the need for the right telescope at the right place and time.
Fortunately, Ansky had been under scrutiny by astronomers. Previously, it was merely another quiet, unremarkable black hole that received little attention.
However, it falls within the range of the Zwicky Transient Facility, a telescope that scans the sky nightly, documenting the brightness and position of stars and galaxies, and monitoring changes.
In December 2019, the galaxy housing Ansky notably brightened. Hernández-García explains, “We observed an increase in optical brightness of approximately 20% over just six months. Since then, the brightness has remained above its original level until 2025.”
Subsequently, astronomers have been monitoring Ansky for changes, including with NASA’s rapid X-ray telescopes.
Initially, there were no X-ray signals, but in February 2024, a bright flare was detected emanating from the black hole.
What remains unclear is the possible connection between the two events.
“We still don’t know if the 2019 optical brighter burst and the 2024 X-ray flare are part of the same process—essentially the black hole ‘waking up’—or if they represent separate phenomena,” says Hernández-García.
Ansky provides significant insight into what occurs when a black hole awakens, but astronomers need to observe more such events to truly understand the dynamics at play.
If all goes well, it won’t be long until the powerful Vera Rubin Observatory scans the sky for signs of unusual activities in the cosmic depths.
With more eyes on the sky than ever before, astronomers can capture even more of these dormant giants as they stir from their long, deep slumber.
About Our Experts
Lorena Hernández-García specializes in ultra-massive black holes, focusing on their feeding habits and the impacts on the surrounding galaxy environments.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
