Archive · 19 May 2025
Hubble Telescope Observes Rogue Black Hole Devouring Star
Imagine a black hole, like a cosmic vacuum cleaner, that usually lives in the middle of a galaxy.
But this one is wandering around!
Scientists, using the Hubble telescope, saw this black hole eating a star outside of its usual home.
The black hole ripped apart the star, causing a bright flash.
They think this rogue black hole might have gotten there by merging with another galaxy or by being flung out during a cosmic event.
Scientists are excited because this helps them understand black holes better and find more hidden ones, using telescopes like Roman and Vera C. Rubin.
Hubble Telescope observed a black hole devouring a star outside the galactic core.
The event, a tidal disruption event (TDE) called AT2024tvd, was spotted 600 million light years away.
The black hole is 2600 light years from the galaxy's core, an unusual offset position.
Scientists are investigating whether the black hole was ejected or formed from a merger.
Astronomers plan to use future telescopes to find more offset TDEs and wandering black holes.
- Who
- Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope.
- What
- A rogue black hole devouring a star outside the galactic core, a tidal disruption event (TDE).
- When
- Observed on February 22, 2025 (AT2024tvd).
- Where
- 600 million light years away from Earth.
- Why
- To study the physics of black holes and find hidden wandering supermassive black holes.
Possible Ejection Origin
Possible Merged Galaxy Origin
Origin of the Black Hole
Possible Ejection Origin
The black hole was ejected from the galaxy's center during a violent three black hole interaction.
Possible Merged Galaxy Origin
The black hole was formed by a smaller galaxy that merged with the current host galaxy billions of years ago.
- Event Type
- Tidal Disruption Event (TDE)
- Event Designation
- AT2024tvd
- Distance
- 600 million light years
- Black Hole Location
- 2600 light years from the galactic core
- Observing Instrument
- Hubble Space Telescope