IIT Guwahati and ISRO Detect Polarised Emissions from Black Hole Outside Milky Way

In a groundbreaking scientific breakthrough, researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have detected polarised emissions from a black hole source named Large Magellanic Cloud X-3 (LMC X-3), situated beyond the confines of our Milky Way Galaxy. The discovery, a first of its kind, was made possible through the application of a technique known as X-ray polarimetry, offering a fresh perspective on the polarisation properties of X-rays from black holes, a phenomenon that had previously eluded complete understanding.

LMC X-3: A New Window into Black Hole Behavior

LMC X-3 is a binary system that comprises a black hole and a massive star, located approximately 200,000 light-years away. Observations from the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE), supplemented with data from the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) and the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) missions, have provided valuable insight into the black hole's spin. The findings suggest that LMC X-3 likely houses a black hole with a low rotation rate, encircled by a slim disc structure. This disc is believed to be the source of the detected polarised emissions.

Implications of the Discovery

This discovery, outlined in detail in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters, holds significant implications for the understanding of black hole behavior. The polarised emissions from LMC X-3 provide new insights into the dynamics of matter under the influence of intense gravitational forces near black holes. Thus, it opens up new avenues for exploring and comprehending the intriguing and complex characteristics of astrophysical black hole sources.

Future Prospects

The detection of polarised emissions from LMC X-3 marks a significant leap in space exploration and black hole studies. It underscores the potential of X-ray polarimetry as a potent tool in unveiling the mysteries of the cosmos. As researchers continue to delve into the enigmatic world of black holes and harness advanced techniques like X-ray polarimetry, the future of astrophysics promises to be as fascinating as the celestial bodies it seeks to understand.