The Milky Way’s black hole shoots out brightest flare ever
Posted on November 7, 2012
November 7, 2012 – SPACE - For
some unknown reason, the black hole at the center of the Milky Way
galaxy shoots out an X-ray flare about once a day. These flares last a
few hours with the brightness ranging from a few times to nearly one
hundred times that of the black hole’s regular output. But back in
February 2012, astronomers using the Chandra X-Ray Observatory detected
the brightest flare ever observed from the central black hole, also
known as Sagittarius A*. The flare, recorded 26,000 light years away,
was 150 times brighter than the black hole’s normal luminosity. What
causes these outbursts? Scientists aren’t sure. But Sagittarius A*
doesn’t seem to be slowing down, even though as black holes age they
should show a decrease in activity. –Universe Today
Thanks to: http://theextinctionprotocol.wordpress.com
Posted on November 7, 2012
November 7, 2012 – SPACE - For
some unknown reason, the black hole at the center of the Milky Way
galaxy shoots out an X-ray flare about once a day. These flares last a
few hours with the brightness ranging from a few times to nearly one
hundred times that of the black hole’s regular output. But back in
February 2012, astronomers using the Chandra X-Ray Observatory detected
the brightest flare ever observed from the central black hole, also
known as Sagittarius A*. The flare, recorded 26,000 light years away,
was 150 times brighter than the black hole’s normal luminosity. What
causes these outbursts? Scientists aren’t sure. But Sagittarius A*
doesn’t seem to be slowing down, even though as black holes age they
should show a decrease in activity. –Universe Today
Thanks to: http://theextinctionprotocol.wordpress.com