Rare Type of Black Hole Snacks on Star
- NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory have identified a new possible example of an intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH) called NGC 6099 HLX-1.
- The IMBH, which weighs between 100-100,000 times the mass of our Sun, is thought to reside in a compact star cluster within a giant elliptical galaxy.
- This rare class of black holes is characterized by their X-ray emission and are of great interest for studying the universe’s evolution and formation.
- The discovery of NGC 6099 HLX-1 provides new insights into the properties and behavior of IMBHs, which can help scientists better understand the role of these objects in galaxy formation.
- Further study of this object and other IMBHs can shed light on the mysteries of black hole growth, mergers, and the distribution of mass in the universe.
Science: NASA, ESA, CXC, Yi-Chi Chang (National Tsing Hua University); Image Processing: Joseph DePasquale (STScI)
NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory teamed up to identify a new possible example of a rare class of black holes, identified by X-ray emission (in purple) in this image released on July 24, 2025. Called NGC 6099 HLX-1, this bright X-ray source seems to reside in a compact star cluster in a giant elliptical galaxy. These rare black holes are called intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs) and weigh between a few hundred to a few 100,000 times the mass of our Sun.
Learn more about IMBHs and what studying them can tell us about the universe.
Image credit: Science: NASA, ESA, CXC, Yi-Chi Chang (National Tsing Hua University); Image Processing: Joseph DePasquale (STScI)
Q. What is the name of the rare class of black holes identified by X-ray emission?
A. The rare class of black holes is called intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs).
Q. How do IMBHs differ from other types of black holes in terms of their mass?
A. IMBHs weigh between a few hundred to a few 100,000 times the mass of our Sun.
Q. What are some possible sources of X-ray emission for IMBHs?
A. One possible source is residing in a compact star cluster in a giant elliptical galaxy.
Q. Which space telescopes were used to identify NGC 6099 HLX-1?
A. NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory were used to identify NGC 6099 HLX-1.
Q. What is the significance of studying IMBHs about the universe?
A. Studying IMBHs can provide insights into the formation and evolution of black holes in the universe.
Q. How do scientists determine if a bright X-ray source is an IMBH?
A. Scientists use X-ray emission to identify potential IMBHs, such as NGC 6099 HLX-1.
Q. What is the estimated mass range for IMBHs?
A. The estimated mass range for IMBHs is between a few hundred to a few 100,000 times the mass of our Sun.
Q. Can you tell us more about the galaxy in which NGC 6099 HLX-1 resides?
A. Unfortunately, the text does not provide information on the specific galaxy where NGC 6099 HLX-1 is located.
Q. What can studying IMBHs reveal about the universe’s evolution?
A. Studying IMBHs can provide insights into the formation and evolution of black holes in the universe, shedding light on its history and development.
Q. Are there any other notable features or characteristics of NGC 6099 HLX-1?
A. Unfortunately, the text does not provide additional information about NGC 6099 HLX-1 beyond its identification as an IMBH.