Gaia discovers a unique black hole

ESA’s Gaia mission has helped discover a new kind of black hole. The new family already has two members, and both are closer to Earth than any other black hole that we know of.

The two black holes were discovered by studying ultra-precise measurements of stellar positions and motions in Gaia’s third data release.

A strange ‘wobble’ in the movement of two stars on the sky indicated that they are orbiting a very massive object. In both cases, the objects are approximately ten times more massive than our Sun. Other explanations for these massive companions, like double-star systems, were ruled out since they do not seem to emit any light.

Gaia’s second black hole, BH2, is located 3800 light-years away from Earth. It is a binary system consisting of a red giant star and likely a black hole.

In this animation of Gaia BH2, created in Gaia Sky, the orbits are accurately sized, but the back hole diameter is not to scale.

Credit: ESA/Gaia/DPAC

#ESA
#Earth
#EarthObservation

[danig.]

So, let‘s hope there are no dormant Black Holes in our close neighbourhood…

[Ben-izlk]

All objects that contain mass are subject to gravity. Even stars can orbit another entity if said entity commands greater power over gravity.

Also, somewhat concerning that black holes/gravity wells are not only invisible to the naked eye but in fact move as well.

[MrWhiteav]

Is the black hole also orbiting something? Love the video…so relaxing.

[mariadaluzmoutinho]

Incrível!! Gaia tem um potencial extraordinário! Já estávamos a espera de alguma surpresa...e.esta é em dose dupla, já conhecia as estrelas duplas...agora buracos negros duplos?!! Até me ponho a imaginar um confronto entre os 2?! A dança da estrela gigante vermelha...em torno daquele buraco negro à espera de a engolir!! É mesmo dramático ...

[zapfanzapfan]

I wonder if there are planets around the star... what weird lensings might be seen from a planet when looking towards the black hole.

[eelproficiency]

the star and the black hole are dancing together :]

[brandiecoo]

What ever happened to the black hole that turned and faced earth a few months ago? Anyone know?

[ramanbedi]

What about the black hole at the Center of our Milky Way galaxy, Sagittarius A*

[ТарасоВлад]

Перевод: Миссия ЕКА Gaia помогла обнаружить новый тип черной дыры. В новой семье уже есть два члена, и оба находятся ближе к Земле, чем любая другая известная нам черная дыра.
Две черные дыры были обнаружены путем изучения сверхточных измерений звездных положений и движений в третьем выпуске данных Gaia.
Странное «колебание» в движении двух звезд на небе указывало на то, что они вращаются вокруг очень массивного объекта. В обоих случаях объекты примерно в десять раз массивнее нашего Солнца. Другие объяснения этих массивных компаньонов, таких как системы двойных звезд, были исключены, поскольку они, похоже, не излучают никакого света.
Вторая черная дыра Геи, BH2, расположена на расстоянии 3800 световых лет от Земли. Это двойная система, состоящая из красного гиганта и, вероятно, черной дыры.

[AleksandarSichev]

Stephen Hawking: A black hole is not a trap, but a path to another universe.