latest space discoveries

October became a pivotal month in the history of astronomy thanks to unprecedented new discoveries. Various astronomers and physicists around the world have discovered the first “sauna planet” and the only triple black hole to date. Both discoveries changed the way we look at celestial bodies.

The only black hole in space: an unexplained event

Until now, science has discovered different types of network holes between supermassive, intermediate and primordial stars. However, the triple hole had never been known before. Now a team of physicists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the California Institute of Technology have discovered the first triple black hole system, consisting of three bodies orbiting themselves. This unprecedented discovery is located 7,800 light-years from Earth, and in fact, no other body like it has ever been discovered. According to National Geographic, currently Scientists believed that black holes can only form under the most extreme conditions space. However, this does not seem to be the case. According to physicists, the black hole, called V404 Cygni, resulted from “direct collapse.” Unlike many others, this one did not go through the supernova phase. That is, a colossal explosion of a star. Contrary to what was known so far, this black hole was created “softly”, without exhibiting a stellar explosion stage.

“We believe that most black holes form from violent stellar explosions, but this discovery helps cast doubt on that. “This system is very interesting for the evolution of black holes, and also raises questions about whether triplets still exist,” says MIT physics professor Kevin Burge in a study published in the journal Nature. Experts noted that There are still many open unknowns that explain the occurrence of this phenomenon.. One hypothesis that has been put forward is that a third star may have become trapped during the creation of the black hole, resulting in this new feature, never seen before. Despite this, some experts consider this idea impossible due to the low density of stars in this region. It’s impressive, no doubt. At the moment, scientists continue to study the discovery to dispel doubts. The only certainty that exists at the moment is that black holes are located among the most feared celestial bodies in space, and no one or nothing can escape from them.

The first “sauna planet” 100 light years from Earth

The number of planets discovered outside the solar system continues to grow every day and already exceeds four figures. Now the James Webb Telescope has helped clarify more details about a new exoplanet that looks like a sauna because it’s made mostly of water vapor. The giant celestial body, named GJ 9827 d, is twice the size of Earth. Surprised experts say that “this is the first time we have seen something like this.” What’s worse is a new exoplanet is located 100 light years from ours. The thing that has surprised scientists so much is that it has an atmosphere of water vapor, something that has never been observed before. “It was a surreal moment. We specifically looked for water worlds because it was thought they might exist. If so. is real, it will really surprise you.” This makes you think that there may be more of them. I think at this point in my career I can work with data from literally the most powerful telescope that has ever been built. This is a reflection that now is the right time to get people interested in astronomy,” says one of the principal investigators, Eshan Raul, a student at the University of Michigan, on the institution’s website.

Eshan Raoul also emphasized that “this planet is uninhabitable, at least for the types of life that we are familiar with on Earth.” The lead author of the paper containing this discovery, Caroline Piolet-Gorayeb, was able to measure the composition of the exoplanet’s atmosphere using “transmission spectroscopy.” Apparently Most exoplanets have atmospheres consisting of light elements.for example helium or hydrogen. However, the big feature of exoplanet GJ 9827 d is that its composition consists of heavy molecules similar to those of some solar system bodies. The NIRISS instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope will not stop working to discover new bodies like this one that shed light on many unresolved questions about the cosmos.