Supermassive Black Hole Feeds on Galaxy, Showing “Over-Eating”

LEICESTER, United Kingdom, 2025-06-17

Black Hole’s High-Speed Matter Ejection

Astronomers have observed a black hole ejecting matter at incredible speeds, offering a glimpse into the dynamics of these cosmic giants.

• A black hole in the seyfert galaxy PG1211+143 ejected matter at 0.27 times the speed of light.
• The event was observed using the XMM-Newton Observatory.
• The study provides insights into how supermassive black holes grow.

In a fascinating new discovery, scientists have witnessed a black hole flinging matter outward at a staggering fraction of the speed of light. This dramatic event,detailed in a paper published in the monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society,reveals the intense processes occurring around these cosmic behemoths.

What happens when a black hole “overeats”? The study, led by researchers at the University of Leicester, observed a supermassive black hole in the Seyfert galaxy PG1211+143 ejecting material at nearly a third of the speed of light.

This image shows the Seyfert galaxy PG1211+143. image credit: Centre de Données astronomiques de Strasbourg / SIMBAD / SDSS.

The XMM-Newton X-ray Observatory has been tracking powerful outflows of ionized gas from active galactic nuclei (AGNs) since 2001. These outflows are a characteristic feature of these energetic systems.

Did you know?-Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) are among the brightest objects in the universe. Their luminosity is due to the accretion of matter onto a supermassive black hole at the center of a galaxy.

“A black hole is formed when a quantity of matter is confined in a sufficiently small region that its gravitational pull is so strong that nothing can escape,” said Professor Ken Pounds and Dr. Kim Page,University of leicester.

“The size of a black hole scales with its mass, being 3 km in radius for a solar mass hole. Stellar-mass black holes are common throughout the Galaxy, often resulting from the violent collapse of a massive star, while supermassive black holes may lurk in the nucleus of all but the smallest external galaxies.”

Decoding the black hole’s Behavior

The observation centers on the Seyfert galaxy PG1211+143, located approximately 1.2 billion light-years away in the constellation of Coma Berenices. In 2014,a five-week study revealed an inflow of matter accumulating around the black hole.

Reader question:-If black holes are known for pulling matter in, how is it possible for them to eject matter at such high speeds? What forces are at play to cause this phenomenon? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Using the ESA’s XMM-Newton Observatory, astronomers noticed an inflow that added at least 10 Earth masses to the black hole’s vicinity, with the ring of accumulating matter being later identified by its gravitational redshift.

The recent research unveiled a powerful outflow traveling at 0.27 times the speed of light. This ejection occurred a few days after the inflow, as energy released by matter falling into the black hole heated the surrounding material to millions of degrees, leading to the expulsion of excess matter.

“Establishing the direct causal link between massive,transient inflow and the resulting outflow offers the fascinating prospect of watching a supermassive black hole grow by regular monitoring of the hot,relativistic winds associated with the accretion of new matter,” Professor Pounds noted.

PG1211+143 was a target of University of Leicester X-ray astronomers, using the ESA’s XMM-Newton Observatory, from its launch in December 1999.

In the past, astronomers discovered a fast-moving outflow with a velocity of 15% of light (0.15c), which had the power to disrupt star formation in the host galaxy. Subsequent observations have shown that such winds are a common trait of luminous AGNs.

Implications for Black Hole Growth

This research opens a window into understanding how supermassive black holes grow by accreting matter. By studying these high-speed ejections, scientists can better understand the processes that govern the evolution of galaxies.

2025. Observing the launch of an Eddington wind in the luminous Seyfert galaxy PG1211+143. MNRAS 540 (3): 2530-2534; doi: 10.1093/mnras/staf637

S have observed a black hole ejecting matter at incredible speeds, offering a glimpse into the dynamics of these cosmic giants.

• A black hole in the seyfert galaxy PG1211+143 ejected matter at 0.27 times the speed of light.
• The event was observed using the XMM-Newton Observatory.
• The study provides insights into how supermassive black holes grow.

in a interesting new discovery, scientists have witnessed a black hole flinging matter outward at a staggering fraction of the speed of light. This dramatic event,detailed in a paper published in the monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society,reveals the intense processes occurring around these cosmic behemoths.

What happens when a black hole “overeats”? The study, led by researchers at the University of leicester, observed a supermassive black hole in the Seyfert galaxy PG1211+143 ejecting material at nearly a third of the speed of light.

This image shows the Seyfert galaxy PG1211+143. image credit: Center de Données astronomiques de Strasbourg / SIMBAD / SDSS.

The XMM-Newton X-ray Observatory has been tracking powerful outflows of ionized gas from active galactic nuclei (AGNs) since 2001. These outflows are a characteristic feature of these energetic systems.

did you know?-Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) are among the brightest objects in the universe. Their luminosity is due to the accretion of matter onto a supermassive black hole at the centre of a galaxy.

“A black hole is formed when a quantity of matter is confined in a sufficiently small region that its gravitational pull is so strong that nothing can escape,” said Professor Ken Pounds and Dr. Kim Page,University of leicester.

“The size of a black hole scales with its mass, being 3 km in radius for a solar mass hole. Stellar-mass black holes are common throughout the Galaxy, often resulting from the violent collapse of a massive star, while supermassive black holes may lurk in the nucleus of all but the smallest external galaxies.”

decoding the black hole’s behavior

The observation centers on the Seyfert galaxy PG1211+143, located approximately 1.2 billion light-years away in the constellation of Coma Berenices. In 2014,a five-week study revealed an inflow of matter accumulating around the black hole.

Reader question:-If black holes are known for pulling matter in, how is it possible for them to eject matter at such high speeds? What forces are at play to cause this phenomenon? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Using the ESA’s XMM-Newton Observatory,astronomers noticed an inflow that added at least 10 Earth masses to the black hole’s vicinity,with the ring of accumulating matter being later identified by its gravitational redshift.

The recent research unveiled a powerful outflow traveling at 0.27 times the speed of light. This ejection occurred a few days after the inflow, as energy released by matter falling into the black hole heated the surrounding material to millions of degrees, leading to the expulsion of excess matter.

“Establishing the direct causal link between massive,transient inflow and the resulting outflow offers the fascinating prospect of watching a supermassive black hole grow by regular monitoring of the hot,relativistic winds associated with the accretion of new matter,” Professor Pounds noted.

PG1211+143 was a target of University of Leicester X-ray astronomers, using the ESA’s XMM-Newton Observatory, from its launch in December 1999.

In the past, astronomers discovered a fast-moving outflow with a velocity of 15% of light (0.15c), which had the power to disrupt star formation in the host galaxy. Subsequent observations have shown that such winds are a common trait of luminous AGNs.

Implications for Black Hole Growth

This research opens a window into understanding how supermassive black holes grow by accreting matter. By studying these high-speed ejections,scientists can better understand the processes that govern the evolution of galaxies.

2025. Observing the launch of an Eddington wind in the luminous Seyfert galaxy PG1211+143. MNRAS 540 (3): 2530-2534; doi: 10.1093/mnras/staf637

Unpacking the Physics of Black Hole Ejections

The discovery of a black hole ejecting matter at a significant fraction of the speed of light provides valuable insights into the extreme physics near these cosmic titans. The process involves a complex interplay of gravity, energy, and magnetic fields.Understanding these black hole ejections is crucial for comprehending how matter behaves under such intense conditions. The recent observations of the Seyfert galaxy PG1211+143 provide a detailed case study that is shedding light on these phenomena.

The intense gravitational pull of a black hole draws in surrounding material, forming an accretion disk. As material spirals inward, it heats up due to friction, reaching temperatures of millions of degrees. this superheated matter emits vast amounts of energy, primarily in the form of X-rays. This energy interacts with the magnetic fields surrounding the black hole. This interaction is believed to channel and accelerate some of the infalling matter outward, perpendicular to the accretion disk, leading to powerful ejections.

What causes these ejections? These outflows, also known as relativistic jets or winds, are powered by the immense energy released during the accretion process and are further influenced by strong magnetic fields. How fast can these ejections travel? The observed outflow in PG1211+143, traveling at 0.27c, is a testament to the enormous forces at play.

The mechanism behind these ejections is not fully understood, but several theories are being explored. One prominent model proposes that powerful magnetic fields, twisted and amplified by the rotation of the black hole and its accretion disk, act as a “launching pad” for the outflowing material. These magnetic fields can accelerate particles to relativistic speeds, creating the observed jets. Another theory suggests that the intense radiation pressure from the accretion disk itself can push material outward. These mechanisms are not mutually exclusive; it’s possible that a combination of factors contributes to the ejection process.

The Role of Eddington Winds

The study of PG1211+143 provides evidence for the presence of an “Eddington wind.” This refers to a powerful outflow of matter driven by the intense radiation pressure from the accretion disk. If the rate at which a black hole accretes matter exceeds a certain threshold,the outward pressure exerted by the emitted radiation can become so strong that it overcomes the inward pull of gravity. This can led to a massive ejection of material, effectively limiting the black hole’s growth. This phenomenon is named after Sir Arthur Eddington, a pioneering British astrophysicist.

Benefits of Studying Black Hole Ejections

Understanding these high-speed ejections has several implications for astrophysics and cosmology:

• Black Hole Growth: Studying ejections helps determine how black holes accrete matter and grow over time.
• Galaxy Evolution: Outflows from black holes can interact with the surrounding interstellar medium, influencing star formation and the evolution of galaxies.
• Testing Theories: observations provide opportunities to test and refine theoretical models of black hole physics and accretion processes.
• Cosmic Feedback: These ejections play a role in “feedback” mechanisms, where energy and matter released by black holes influence their host galaxies.

Myths vs. Facts about Black Hole Ejections

Here’s a breakdown of common misconceptions versus the scientific realities of black hole ejections:

Myth	Fact
Black holes “suck” everything in, and nothing can escape.	While nothing within the event horizon can escape, black holes can eject matter in the form of jets or winds.
Ejections only occur in supermassive black holes.	Ejections have been observed in both stellar-mass and supermassive black holes,although they are more prominent in AGNs.
All matter is pulled into the black hole.	Only a portion of the infalling matter is consumed; some is ejected at high speeds.

Frequently asked Questions

Here are some common questions about black hole ejections, answered concisely:

Q: How are these ejections observed?

A: Astronomers use X-ray telescopes such as XMM-Newton to detect the high-energy radiation emitted by the outflowing material.

Q: what is the role of magnetic fields?

A: Magnetic fields likely play a key role in channeling and accelerating the outflowing material, contributing to the formation of jets and winds.

Q: Can these ejections affect galaxies?

A: Yes, by interacting with the interstellar medium, ejections can influence star formation rates and overall galaxy evolution.

Q: Are these ejections common?

A: Observations suggest that high-speed outflows are a common feature of active galactic nuclei, notably in luminous AGNs.