Hubble Finds A Black Hole That Creates Stars Instead Of Devouring Them
Hubble discovered a black hole that creates stars instead of destroying them in the small galaxy Henize 2-10. The galaxy is famous for challenging astronomers’ beliefs. It is a dwarf galaxy found 30 million light-years away in the southern constellation Pyxis. It is also considered a starburst galaxy which means that it hosts exceptionally high rates of star formations.
A decade ago, the Henize 2-10 black hole triggered the debate whether black holes formed in tiny galaxies were proportional to massive black holes found in larger galaxies. The black hole, which has a mass of one million suns, also gave birth to theories saying that black holes are formed before galaxies exist. However, the relationship between black holes, galaxy formation, and star formation remains a mystery.
Related: Why Space Exploration Missions Need Space Telescopes Like Hubble
Researchers from NASA’s Hubble Telescope say that the villain reputation black holes have of being destructive monsters that hold light captive is not entirely correct. They say new Hubble observations of the black hole in Henize 2-10 show that it contributes to the firestorm generating new stars at incredible rates in the galaxy. In addition, NASA gave reasons for why this particular black hole strays from the reckless behavior of its own kind.
The black hole of this tiny galaxy is smaller compared to others NASA has studied. The gravitational pull of black holes’ is massive, and when material “falls” into them, some of it may be redirected and ejected as jets due to strong magnetic fields. Henize 2-10’s black hole is smaller in size, and the outflow of material it ejects travels much slower. The speed is just right to compress material enough to create stars.
NASA says
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