Biggest explosion seen in universe discovered by astronomers – and it came from a supermassive black hole
- Blast believed to have come from heart of Ophiuchus cluster, 390 million light-years away
- Explosion was so large it carved out crater in hot gas that could hold 15 Milky Way galaxies
Astronomers have discovered the biggest explosion seen in the universe, originating from a supermassive black hole.
Scientists reported on Thursday that the blast came from a black hole in a cluster of galaxies 390 million light-years away.
The explosion was so large it carved out a crater in the hot gas that could hold 15 Milky Ways, said lead author Simona Giacintucci of the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington.
It is five times bigger than the previous record-holder.
Astronomers used Nasa’s Chandra X-Ray Observatory to make the discovery, along with a European space observatory and ground telescopes. They believe the explosion came from the heart of the Ophiuchus cluster of thousands of galaxies: a large galaxy at the centre contains a colossal black hole.
Black holes do not just draw matter in. They also blast out jets of material and energy.