Allen Telescope Array Helps Uncover Hidden Black Hole Tearing Apart a Star
Radio observations with the Allen Telescope Array (ATA) have helped discover an unprecedented burst of radio activity from a tidal disruption event (TDE).
TDEs occur when a star wanders too close to a supermassive black hole (SMBH) and is ripped apart by its strong gravitational forces, lighting up the cosmos across all wavelengths.
These events light up the cosmos across all wavelengths, from visible and X-ray light to radio waves.
This particular TDE, named AT 2024tvd, stands out from others, evolving at record-breaking speed and taking place off-center, away from the nucleus of its galaxy.
- TDEs happen when a star is ripped apart by a supermassive black hole's gravitational forces.
- AT 2024tvd is a unique TDE, evolving at record-breaking speed and occurring off-center in its galaxy.
Author summary: Astronomers uncover hidden black hole using Allen Telescope Array.