Uncovering the monumental black hole through the detection of spatial distortions
In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers are on a mission to uncover the gravitational lensing around the most massive known galaxies in the Universe. This quest, fueled by curiosity and a thirst for knowledge, promises to shed light on the true size of black holes in the cosmos.
The phenomenon of gravitational lensing, where the gravitational field of a massive galaxy distorts the path of light from a remote galaxy, has been a valuable tool in this research. A prime example of this is the discovery of a black hole via gravitational lensing in Abell 1201.
Astronomers have long known that the size of a galaxy tends to correlate with the mass of its supermassive black hole. This correlation has been borne out by the findings that supermassive black holes are common in the cores of many galaxies. However, studying the most massive galaxies and their black holes is challenging due to their great cosmic distances and the rarity of active black holes.
One of the most colossal black holes ever discovered, known as ultramassive black holes, are found in the cores of the most massive galaxies. These behemoths, with masses over a billion times that of our Sun, have been a subject of fascination and mystery for astronomers.
The first ever image of the black hole at the center of our Galaxy was recently released, revealing Sagittarius A*, a supermassive black hole with a mass over one million times that of our Sun. In more distant galaxies, the central supermassive black hole may be 'active', emitting bright emissions across the electromagnetic spectrum.
The discovery of the most massive black hole via gravitational lensing was made in the Cosmic Horseshoe galaxy system in the Leo constellation. A small portion of the light from the background galaxy passed close to the central core of Abell 1201, within reach of the supermassive black hole's gravity. Through detailed numerical analysis, an ultramassive black hole approximately 33 billion times the mass of our Sun was discovered.
To study supermassive black holes, astronomers map out the orbits of stars in nearby galaxies. By observing the orbits and studying the emissions from active black holes, astronomers can deduce the mass of these cosmic giants. The goal is to find more objects like Abell 1201, which can reveal the mass of their central supermassive black hole, potentially answering the question of how enormous black holes can truly be in the Universe.
This answer to this question may well act as a reminder of just how small we are within the cosmos. As we continue to peer deeper into the universe, we are reminded of the vastness and mystery that lies beyond our own world. The search for gravitational lensing around the most massive known galaxies is, indeed, a journey into the cosmic unknown.
