Binary super massive black hole discovered in a system which could be site of future gravitational waves detection

What is the News?

A group of astronomers from Argentina, Spain, Italy, the USA and India has discovered a binary supermassive black hole system in the Blazar AO 0235+164. The system will be a strong candidate for future detection of gravitational waves(GWs).

What are Blazars?

Blazars are super massive black holes(SMBH) feeding on gas in the heart of a very distant galaxy. They are among the most luminous and energetic objects in the Universe. 

When the jet, composed of ionized matter travelling at nearly the speed of light, is pointed towards an observer, it is called a blazar. 

What is unique about Blazar AO 0234+164?

The blazar AO 0235+164 is unique as it is gravitationally lensed by intervening galaxies. 

Note: Gravitational Lensing is a phenomenon by which light shining from far away is bent and pulled by the gravity of an object between its source and the observer.

Significance: Blazar AO 0235+164 is the first binary SMBH gravitationally lensed system. It will also be a strong candidate of its kind for future detection of gravitational waves.

Source: The post is based on the article “Binary super massive black hole discovered in a system which could be site of future gravitational waves detection” published in PIB on 12th June 2022.