Astronomers have used the James Webb Space Telescope to study rare events involving black holes, disproving the idea that “dormant” black holes remain inactive. These singularities can still interact with surrounding objects, such as stars, and exhibit characteristic signals when they do. However, dusty galaxies often obscure these signs, making them difficult to detect.
The researchers employed the Webb telescope’s advanced infrared detection capabilities to find the expected signals from tidal disruption events. They detected these brief bursts of radiation, suggesting that previously hidden black holes were not quiescent but rather transiently consuming a star. Tidal disruptions are rare events, with only a few dozen observed so far, but scientists believe they may be more common.
This study demonstrates the potential for even occluded black holes to provide valuable insights into these mysterious objects. The James Webb Space Telescope’s capabilities have allowed astronomers to explore previously inaccessible regions of the sky and advance our understanding of black hole behavior.
Source: https://www.extremetech.com/science/astronomers-peer-through-stellar-dust-to-see-black-holes-eating-whole-stars