Supermassive Black Hole 'Awakens' in Galaxy SDSS1335+0728

Astronomers have observed the 'awakening' of a supermassive black hole in real time for the first time. This event is taking place in the galaxy SDSS1335+0728, located approximately 300 million light-years from Earth. The galaxy exhibited a significant and unexpected increase in brightness starting in 2019, capturing the attention of scientists worldwide.

Further observations, including X-ray emissions detected in February 2024, confirmed that the black hole at the galaxy's center had begun actively consuming surrounding matter. These emissions strongly suggest the formation of an accretion disk around the black hole, a structure where material spirals inward before being consumed. This rare event provides valuable insights into the behavior of supermassive black holes and their influence on the evolution of galaxies.

The observed activity in SDSS1335+0728 allows astronomers to study the processes involved in the activation of a supermassive black hole. This includes the formation of the accretion disk and the subsequent release of energy. Studying this event will help scientists better understand the role of these cosmic entities in shaping the universe.