NASA scientists have found out a ‘cosmic killer’ black hole, which is considered to provide a missing link for the universe.

Based on the findings published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, it is considered to be a mid-sized black hole. The scientists noticed it after it passed by a star and tore it.

Two teams of astronomers, from both ESA and NASA, used X-rays to observe the black hole. The flare of the X-rays showed that the star was torn by the black hole. This allowed them to determine its mid-range and mass. It also helped them to understand the type of star that was torn by the black hole.

 

Now, when the astronomers have found out an intermediate-mass black hole, they are expecting to find the next one.

Studying the evolution of the intermediate-mass black holes will help astronomers to find out how super-massive black holes came to evolve.

 

Source/photo:  NASA,  CNN