Black holes, despite their immense gravitational forces, often remain dormant for long periods. Recently, astronomers observed a supermassive black hole at the center of galaxy SDSS1335+0728—nicknamed “Ansky”—begin to stir after years of inactivity. Located about 300 million light-years away, Ansky started to emit bright light in 2019, but in 2024, it began producing regular bursts of X-rays, suggesting it was intermittently “waking up” before returning to a dormant state.
Ansky’s Rhythmic X-ray Bursts Defy Expectations, Forcing Scientists to Rethink Black Holes
What makes Ansky unique is not just its reawakening, but the regular pattern of its energy emissions. These bursts, known as quasiperiodic eruptions (QPEs), are extremely rare, and this is the first known case of such activity emerging from a black hole transitioning from dormancy.
Multiple telescopes, including XMM-Newton, NASA’s NICER, Chandra, and Swift, are monitoring the phenomenon. Past data was examined, but no earlier signs of activity were found, making this an exceptional observational opportunity.
Dormant Black Hole Ansky Awakens With Mysterious X-ray Bursts That Challenge Existing TheoriesThese unexpected emissions are prompting scientists to rethink black hole behavior. Traditionally, QPEs are believed to occur when a black hole’s accretion disc—formed by matter falling into the black hole—interacts with a smaller object like a star or smaller black hole. However, in Ansky’s case, no such destruction has been detected. This leads researchers to explore alternative theories, such as a small object repeatedly disturbing the accretion disc and causing shocks that result in the flares.
Ansky’s Unusual Eruptions Challenge Black Hole Theories and Spark New Scientific Curiosity
What’s particularly striking about Ansky is the intensity and duration of its bursts. They are not only 10 times brighter but also last 10 times longer than typical QPEs observed in other systems. This behavior challenges current models and suggests that Ansky might represent a different mechanism altogether. As the data accumulates, astronomers are finding themselves with more questions than answers, hinting that existing models may need significant revisions.
To decode this mystery, astronomers are continuing to observe Ansky closely. Its activity could hold crucial insights into black hole mechanics and the phenomena surrounding QPEs. Future missions from the European Space Agency (ESA) may also provide valuable data, particularly about gravitational waves that might accompany the X-ray bursts. For now, Ansky stands as a rare and intriguing celestial object, rewriting what we know about the sleep cycles of black holes.
