But in December 2019, it suddenly started shining brighter than ever. Now, astronomers believe they are witnessing something never before seen: the awakening of a black hole in real time. AdvertisementThe researchers say black holes, upward of 100,000 times the size of the sun, exist at the center of most galaxies, including the Milky Way. But the black hole in this galaxy, located 300 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo, is unusual in that it is clearly visible. Galaxies do light up for other reasons, such as supernova explosions or tidal disruption events — when a star gets too close to a black hole and is torn apart.

Source: Stuff June 20, 2024 04:53 UTC