A black hole named 'Jetty McJetface' continues to brighten years after it devoured a star, captivating the attention of astrophysicist Yvette Cendes and her team. This supermassive black hole, experiencing cosmic indigestion, has been emitting the star's remains for four years and is still growing stronger. The phenomenon, officially known as AT2018hyz, is being closely monitored by Cendes and her colleagues, who published their findings in The Astrophysical Journal. The black hole's radio blast is expected to reach its peak in 2027, according to their study.
The story begins with a star drifting too close to a supermassive black hole, leading to a tidal disruption event (TDE), often referred to as 'spaghettification'. While many TDEs are initially detected through bright light, this one stood out due to its radio signals, which can indicate winds or jets slamming into nearby gas. The event was initially dismissed as ordinary, but a few years later, Cendes noticed strong radio waves, prompting further investigation.
Cendes, a radio astronomer, utilizes large radio facilities to detect faint signals across the universe. The study's timeline is crucial, with data collected from arrays in New Mexico and South Africa, along with other major instruments. The radio signals have been increasing over time, with the flux rising from 1.4 millijanskys at 972 days to 33.3 millijanskys at 2160 days in a specific radio band near 5 to 7 GHz. This represents an astonishing jump.
The energy output of this black hole is estimated to be so large that it rivals a gamma-ray burst, potentially making it one of the most powerful single events ever detected. Cendes compares it to the energy output of the Death Star in Star Wars, emphasizing the immense scale of the emission.
The data suggests two possible scenarios: a roughly spherical outflow with a delayed launch around 620 days after the optical discovery, or a jet that was launched early but is being observed from the side, resulting in a weak early signal that becomes more visible as the jet slows and spreads. Both scenarios can explain the key clues observed, such as the peak frequency and brightness.
The team is currently monitoring for a turning point, expecting the radio signal to continue increasing exponentially until it peaks in 2027. This will provide a rare opportunity for astronomers to test their models in real-time using coordinated observations across the globe. The research has practical implications, potentially changing how astronomers follow star-shredding events and offering new insights into black hole jet launches and outflows.
