Formed from the remnants of massive stars that have undergone gravitational collapse, black holes possess gravitational fields so strong that not even light can escape their grasp. Black holes come in various sizes, from stellar black holes to supermassive ones found at the centers of galaxies.
1. Sagittarius A*
Location: Milky Way Galaxy | Distance: ~26,000 light-years
Sagittarius A* is the supermassive black hole at the center of our Milky Way galaxy, with a mass of about 4.1 million times that of the Sun. Its presence has been inferred from the orbits of stars surrounding it, providing compelling evidence for supermassive black holes in galaxies. In 2022, the Event Horizon Telescope captured the first image of its event horizon, offering a direct glimpse of this cosmic giant and revolutionizing our understanding of black holes.
2. M87*
Location: Galaxy M87 | Distance: ~53 million light-years
M87* is another supermassive black hole that gained fame when the Event Horizon Telescope captured its first image in 2019. Located in the center of the giant elliptical galaxy M87, this black hole has a mass equivalent to about 6.5 billion suns. The image revealed a bright ring of light surrounding a dark shadow, providing crucial insights into the behavior of matter in extreme gravitational fields.
3. V404 Cygni
Location: Constellation Cygnus | Distance: ~7,800 light-years
V404 Cygni is a stellar black hole with a mass of about 9 to 12 times that of the Sun. It is part of a binary system, pulling material from its companion star. This black hole became a focal point for study during a series of outbursts in 2015, emitting powerful jets and X-rays that provided valuable data on the dynamics of accretion and black hole feeding processes.
4. Cygnus X-1
Location: Constellation Cygnus | Distance: ~6,000 light-years
Cygnus X-1 is one of the first black holes ever identified, discovered in the 1960s as an X-ray binary system. With a mass around 15 times that of the Sun, it is a prime example of a stellar black hole. Observations of this system have provided crucial evidence for the existence of black holes and have advanced our understanding of their formation and evolution.
5. GW150914 (the first detected black hole merger)
Location: N/A (event detected by LIGO) | Distance: ~1.3 billion light-years
GW150914 marked a groundbreaking moment in astrophysics as the first detection of gravitational waves from the merger of two black holes in 2015. This event confirmed a major prediction of Einstein’s theory of general relativity and opened a new window for studying black holes and their properties through gravitational wave astronomy. The merger involved black holes with masses of approximately 29 and 36 solar masses, resulting in a remnant black hole about 62 solar masses.
6. TON 618
Location: Constellation Canes Venatici | Distance: ~10.4 billion light-years
TON 618 is one of the most massive black holes known, with a mass estimated to be around 66 billion solar masses. This supermassive black hole is located in a distant quasar, and its immense size challenges our understanding of black hole formation in the early universe. Its discovery has prompted new theories regarding the growth of black holes and their role in galaxy evolution.
7. 4U 1543-47
Location: Constellation Ara | Distance: ~17,000 light-years
4U 1543-47 is another notable stellar black hole located in a binary system. With a mass around 9 to 12 solar masses, it is characterized by dramatic outbursts of X-rays as it accretes material from its companion star. Observations of this system have contributed significantly to understanding how black holes interact with their environment and the mechanics of accretion disks.
As we continue to probe their mysteries through advanced observational techniques and gravitational wave detections, black holes will undoubtedly remain at the forefront of astrophysical research, revealing insights into the very nature of space and time.