|
Written by spacetravel.org
|
|
Sunday, 08 May 2005 21:24 |
|
Observations of an ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX) in the spiral galaxy M74 have led astronomers to announce the discovery of a new class of intermediate black holes. A ULX radiates up to 1,000 times as much energy as a neutron star or small black hole. This ULX had a regular variation in its X-ray output within a two-hour period. Astronomers believe the variation is caused by the presence of an accretion disc surrounding the black hole. The period of variation has caused astronomers to believe that its weight is 10,000 solar masses, making it smaller than the supermassive black holes in the cores of galaxies, but larger than the stellar-mass black holes created in supernova explosions.
|