Physicists have discovered a triple black hole system for the first time, and their existence challenges long-held theories about black hole formation.
Until now, many black holes have been found in binary systems. This system consists of one black hole and a secondary celestial object, such as a star or another black hole, according to Interesting Engineering on October 25.
In a recent report published in the journal Nature, physicists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) describe the existence of a triple black hole system located approximately 8,000 light-years from Earth.
Graphic rendering of the triple black hole system concept. (Image: MIT).
The new system features a central black hole that is “devouring” a small star from a very close distance. This star takes about six and a half days to complete an orbit around the black hole.
Even more surprisingly, experts observed a second star orbiting around the black hole at a greater distance. Physicists estimate that this third member may take up to 70,000 years to complete its orbit around the central black hole.
The fact that the black hole’s gravitational pull can dominate a celestial object at such a vast distance raises many questions about its origin.
Black holes are believed to form after a supernova explosion of a dying star, releasing an enormous amount of energy and light before collapsing into an invisible black hole, known as a supernova explosion.
However, the findings from MIT and Caltech suggest that if the black hole was born from a supernova explosion, the second star could not possibly exist as it does.
To explain the triple black hole system, the research team suspects that the black hole formed through a gentler process, where a star collapses directly without releasing massive amounts of energy.
This triple black hole system may provide the first evidence that a black hole can form through a less violent process.
