Black hole discovered in a star cluster

Black hole discovered in a star cluster

IN AN unexpected discovery, scientists have spotted a black hole in a collection of stars in the constellation Ophiuchus. about 22,000 light years from Earth. Last year when astronomers led by a Michigan State University professor discovered two black holes in a collection of stars known as a globular cluster, the team wasn't sure if the black holes presence was a common occurrence or a unique stroke of luck.

Researchers have now found evidence of vet another black hole in a globular cluster known as M62.

"This implies that the discovery of the other black hole, in the globular cluster called M22, was not just a fluke," said Laura Chomiuk. team member and MSU assistant professor of physics and astronomy.

"Black holes really may be common in globular clusters," said Chomiuk.

Black holes are stars that have died, collapsed into themselves and now have such a strong gravitational field that not even light can escape from them. The globular cluster M62 is located in the constellation Ophiuchus. about 22,000 light years from Earth.

Until recently, astronomers had assumed that the black holes did not occur in globular clusters, which are some of the oldest and densest collections of stars in the universe.