Supermassive Black Holes Might Be Causing Death of Galaxies
Supermassive black holes might be influencing galactic star formation and triggering the death of galaxies, claims a new study. Recent research has shed light on how the birth and death of a galaxy, also known as the galactic cycle occurs. This study reveals that the mass of a supermassive black hole can significantly impact the amount of cold gas available in its host galaxy, a key component for star formation. The connection between these black holes and the suppression of star formation provides a clearer understanding of how galaxies transition from active star-birthing regions to “quiet” ones.
Black Holes and Galactic Death
Supermassive black holes, residing at the centre of large galaxies, are now believed to have a critical role in suppressing star formation. Scientists have observed that galaxies with more massive black holes tend to have reduced levels of cold gas. This gas is essential for forming new stars, and its depletion can lead to a galaxy’s transition to a more passive state, where star formation significantly slows or stops. Tao Wang and his team from Nanjing University have linked the mass of these black holes with the reduced gas content in their host galaxies, in a study published in the Nature journal.
Evidence and Theories
The research indicates that more massive black holes are associated with lower amounts of cold atomic hydrogen gas. This gas, which is crucial for star formation, appears to diminish as the black hole’s mass increases. This phenomenon aligns with observations of passive galaxies, which generally show reduced star-forming activity and gas reservoirs. The study suggests that supermassive black holes may either eject this gas from galaxies or prevent them from acquiring new gas from intergalactic space.
Future Research Directions
The findings challenge previous theories which had not definitively linked black hole mass with the reduction in star-forming gas. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms through which black holes affect their host galaxies. The team plans to investigate how dense molecular gas—another critical component for star formation—correlates with black hole mass. This future work, potentially using the ALMA observatory, aims to provide deeper insights into the impact of black holes on galactic evolution.
By examining the relationship between supermassive black holes and galaxy gas reservoirs, this study opens new avenues for understanding how galaxies evolve and cease to form new stars.
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In a major fillip to Pakistan’s space and disaster management applications, China Thursday launched the first ever Remote Sensing Satellite-1 (PRSS-01) exclusively for Pakistan. The satellite was carried into orbit on a Kuaizhou-1A rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in Sichuan province. PRSS-01 was injected into the intended orbit after liftoff, and all systems were declared functioning properly. The satellite will be used to support agriculture and land surveys, urban planning, emergency disaster response, as well as environmental monitoring scans for the country, and marks a new beginning in Pakistan’s ambitions of a space program. It also highlights persistent cooperation between China and Pakistan in technology associated with space science, as well as earth observation.
Earth Observation and Disaster Management
According to the official website, PRSS-01 is equipped with high-resolution imaging systems capable of providing detailed data across a wide range of civilian and governmental uses. Its uses consist of national land survey, urban planning, and real-time environmental monitoring. Crucially, it increases Pakistan’s ability to respond rapidly and efficiently when natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes occur. It is anticipated that the technology will be valuable in long-term infrastructure planning and will promote smarter, sustainable development across the country.
Strengthening Bilateral Space Cooperation
The PRSS-01 launch indicates that the strategic cooperation between China and Pakistan is deepening, in aerospace technology as well. Engineers from the two countries worked closely together throughout the development and launch processes, including substantial technological support from China. The mission will continue the spirit of collaboration evident in satellite communications and scientific payloads between China, Pakistan, and Algeria, strengthening confidence among partners.
The successful launch of PRSS-01 is not only a great leap for Pakistan in promoting national development, but also an important step towards China’s deepening cooperation with countries along the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) and its aerospace industry transforming from being big to strong. With the launch of PRSS-01, industry expects a new era in improved satellite services for Pakistan.
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The concept of a large, hidden planet or planets lurking in the most distant regions of our solar system has been known since before Pluto’s discovery on 1930s. Originally named “Planet X,” it had been proposed to account for irregularities in Uranus’s orbit. That mystery was eventually resolved by recalculating Neptune’s mass. But in 2016, Caltech astronomers Konstantin Batygin and Mike Brown resurrected the puzzle with a new idea — Planet Nine — which was based on the bizarre orbits of distant Kuiper Belt objects. The explanation is that a huge planet far away is gravitationally pulling on these objects.
The Case for Planet Nine
According to Batygin and Brown’s observation, many of the Kuiper Belt objects don’t travel on orbits as expected. This suggests that, like the Moon (whose outward spiral from Earth is due to earth’s gravity), these distant objects are somehow being perturbed by something other than our Sun. The hypothesised Planet Nine is believed to be several times the size of Earth and orbiting out beyond Neptune. Supporting evidence are the discovery of recently detected trans-Neptunian-object with elliptical-orbits (such as 2017 OF201 ) which could have been sculpted by a massive planet.
In 2024, Brown reaffirmed confidence in the theory, stating, “There are currently no other explanations for the effects that we see.” More trans-Neptunian discoveries keep pointing toward an unknown gravitational force.
Challenges and New Clues
However, the theory faces hurdles. Other astronomers contend that there is not enough data on the Kuiper Belt to warrant a Planet Nine. Others suggest alternative explanations, such as a debris ring or even something more exotic like a small black hole. One is reduced observing time; tens of thousands of years are required for these objects so far from our planet to orbit.
Recent finds, such as the sednoid 2023 KQ14 — so elongated that it looks stable in an empty solar system — complicate the scenario even more. If Planet Nine is out there, it could be at least 500 AU away from the Sun. In the meantime, astronomers are continuing to search those huge, remote edges of our solar system using ground- and space-based telescopes.
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