In a landmark moment for India's space ambitions, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has blasted off to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission , marking the country's return to human spaceflight after a 41-year hiatus . This historic launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida has not only reignited national pride but also officially kickstarted India’s human spaceflight programme . The mission, operated by Axiom Space , includes a four-member international crew that will spend 14 days in orbit , conducting scientific research, outreach programs, and various commercial activities. This momentous occasion places India among a select group of nations capable of sending humans into space and reflects the growing prowess of the Indian space sector . A New Chapter: Shubhanshu Shukla and India’s Astronautical Comeback The last Indian to go to space was Rakesh Sharma in 1984, aboard the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz T-11. Now, in 2025, Shubhanshu...
Supermassive Black Hole Discovery: Unveiling the Secrets of the Cosmos
NASA has recently discovered a unique black hole, LID-568, which provides new insights into the nature of upermassive black holes. This discovery helps scientists understand the formation and growth of early black holes in the universe.
Key Highlights of LID-568
- LID-568 is a low-mass supermassive black hole that existed 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang.
- It challenges previous theories about the early evolution of black holes.
- Unlike typical supermassive black holes, LID-568 shows signs of rapid growth, defying conventional limits.
What Are Supermassive Black Holes?
Definition & Characteristics
✔ Supermassive black holes are the most common type of black holes found at the centers of galaxies.
✔ They have intense gravitational forces, causing nearby stars to orbit them in specific patterns.
✔ Unlike smaller black holes, they can reach millions to billions of times the mass of the Sun.
How Do They Form?
- Scientists believe supermassive black holes form through:
- Merging of smaller black holes over time.
- Rapid accumulation of matter from surrounding cosmic dust and gas.
- Direct collapse of massive gas clouds in the early universe.
Understanding the Eddington Limit & Super-Eddington Accretion
What is the Eddington Limit?
- The Eddington limit is the maximum rate at which a black hole can consume matter before the radiation pressure pushes incoming material away.
- This balance prevents black holes from growing uncontrollably.
What Happens if the Limit is Crossed?
- When a black hole exceeds the Eddington limit, it enters super-Eddington accretion.
- In this phase, the black hole feeds on matter at an extreme rate, causing rapid growth.
- LID-568 lies in this category, making it a fascinating case for scientists studying black hole growth dynamics.
Why is LID-568 Important?
Reveals the Early Universe's Evolution
- Helps scientists understand how early black holes formed and evolved.
- Challenges existing models of black hole growth in young galaxies.
Explains How Supermassive Black Holes Grow
- Proves that low-mass black holes can undergo super-Eddington accretion.
- Could explain the presence of extremely massive black holes in the early universe.
Expands Future Research Possibilities
- Encourages the search for more early black holes using space telescopes.
- Aids in refining theories about the formation of galaxies and cosmic structures.
The Future of Black Hole Research
The discovery of LID-568 opens new doors to understanding the mysterious origins of supermassive black holes. Scientists will continue to explore these cosmic giants using advanced telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).