In November 2018, astronomers found a supermassive black hole known as “Superman.” It initially appeared to be just another brilliant spot in the universe. However, five years later, after scientists reexamined it, they noticed something unusual: the light was changing in brightness, and it wasn’t what they initially believed.
Originally mistaken for a blazar — a type of black hole that shoots energetic jets of energy through space, but it turned out to be much stronger. The light was actually emanated from an active galactic nucleus, fueled by a black hole approximately 500 million times larger than our Sun.
As astronomers noticed that this cosmic giant shone 30 times brighter than any known black hole flare and let off the light of 10 trillion suns. The burst likely came from a massive star, at least 30 times the size of the Sun, being broken apart and consumed in a violent tidal disruption event.
Scientists call it a one-in-a-million occurrence, providing new insight about how black holes grow and how stars live near the centers of galaxies. The flare is still ongoing, meaning “Superman” is still devouring its stellar meal.
Astronomy professor Matthew Graham, who led the study, described it vividly: “It’s like a fish only halfway down the whale’s gullet.”
As researchers continue to monitor “Superman,” they anticipate that this finding may aid in our comprehension of the powerful processes shaping our universe.
