The hypothesis that a massive black hole lies at the center of the galaxy Messier 87 (M87) is a scientific hypothesis that posits the existence of a supermassive black hole with a mass of billions of times that of the sun at the center of the galaxy.
This hypothesis is based on a combination of observational evidence and theoretical considerations.
The observational evidence includes the detection of a bright ring-like structure in the center of the galaxy, known as the “Einstein ring,” the detection of X-ray emissions coming from the center of M87, and the study of the galaxy’s kinematics, which is the motion of stars and gas.
Theoretical considerations include the idea that most, if not all, large galaxies have supermassive black holes at their centers, and the existence of a massive black hole at the center of M87 is consistent with this idea.
In 2019, the Event Horizon Telescope collaboration released the first direct image of a black hole located at the center of M87.
Why do astronomers hypothesize that a massive black hole lies at the center of m87?
Astronomers hypothesize that a massive black hole lies at the center of the galaxy Messier 87 (M87) due to a combination of observational evidence and theoretical considerations.
First, there is strong observational evidence that a large amount of mass is concentrated at the center of M87. This evidence comes from observations of the motion of stars and gas in the vicinity of the center of the galaxy.
The motion of these objects indicates a large amount of mass concentrated in a small region, which is characteristic of a black hole.
Second, the existence of a massive black hole at the center of M87 is consistent with the idea that most, if not all, large galaxies have supermassive black holes at their centers.
This idea is supported by several observational studies that have found evidence for supermassive black holes in the centers of many other galaxies.
Third, the M87 galaxy has a jet of high-energy particles that emanates from its center; this jet is likely to be powered by the massive black hole at the center.
Finally, in 2019, the Event Horizon Telescope collaboration released the first direct image of a black hole located at the center of M87. This image provided the most substantial evidence yet that a supermassive black hole lies at the center of the galaxy.
Overall, while there is no conclusive proof that a massive black hole lies at the center of M87, the available evidence strongly suggests that this is the case.
Another piece of evidence supporting the hypothesis that a massive black hole lies at the center of M87 is the detection of a bright ring-like structure in the center of the galaxy, known as the “Einstein ring.”
This ring is thought to be caused by the bending of light around the massive black hole at the center of the galaxy.
The light from distant stars and galaxies is bent as it passes close to the black hole, creating the appearance of a bright ring.
The observed properties of this ring are consistent with the predictions of Einstein’s theory of general relativity for the light bending near a massive object like a black hole.
Additionally, detecting X-ray emissions coming from the center of M87 also supports the existence of a massive black hole.
These X-rays are thought to be emitted by hot gas that is falling into the black hole, and their properties are consistent with the predictions for the behavior of gas near a massive black hole.
Furthermore, the study of the galaxy’s kinematics, which is the motion of stars and gas, shows that the speed of these objects increases as we get closer to the center of the galaxy, and this is a strong indication of the presence of a massive object with a lot of gravity.
When taken together, all these pieces of evidence strongly support the hypothesis that a massive black hole lies at the center of M87.
