2024-01-20 00:26:54
Professor Jongho Park of the Department of Space Exploration at Kyung Hee University participated in an international joint research and captured the ring structure of shadow and light of the M87 black hole. The photo is Professor Jongho Park.
Professor Jongho Park of the Department of Space Exploration at Kyung Hee University participated in an international joint research and captured the ring structure of shadow and light of the M87 black hole. Domestic researchers from Kyung Hee University, Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, KAIST, UST, Yonsei University, and Kyungpook National University participated in the international joint research. Professor Jongho Park participated in the process of converting black hole observation data into black hole images needed for scientific research.
In 2017, an international joint research team captured the supermassive black hole located at the center of the M87 galaxy using the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) and announced the results of the study in 2019. This study was a result of confirming the M87 black hole observed in 2018 with image data, and was able to confirm the changes in the black hole over time by showing the appearance of the M87 black hole observed in 2017 one year later. Additionally, this observation is significant in that it once again verified the existence of the M87 black hole. The results of this study were published in an international journal in the field of astronomy.
picture explanation. M87 black hole image results observed in 2017 and 2018. The central black part, called the black hole shadow, and the light bent by the black hole’s gravity were observed in a ring shape. The white line at the bottom represents the distance light can travel in four days. (Source: ©EHT Collaboration)
The size of the M87 black hole shadow and ring structure captured in 2018 matched that of 2017. However, differences were confirmed in the brightness distribution of the black hole ring structure. The international joint research team explained the reason why there is no change in the size of the black hole ring structure using Einstein’s theory of general relativity. According to Einstein’s general theory of relativity, the size of the black hole ring structure was predicted to be constant over time due to the strong space-time bending near the black hole. Regarding the change in brightness of the black hole ring structure, it was inferred that the change occurred due to factors such as plasma turbulence around the black hole affecting the brightness.
The Greenland Telescope, which newly participated in the observation in 2018, played a significant role in capturing the M87 black hole. The performance of the eight existing EHTs has been improved, and a new telescope has been added, greatly improving the accuracy of black hole images. The international joint research team plans to conduct follow-up research using computer simulations. We plan to analyze changes in the brightness of the black hole ring structure to determine how the process of inflow and emission of matter around the black hole occurs.
M87 black hole image results observed in 2017 and 2018. The central black part, called the black hole shadow, and the light bent by the black hole’s gravity were observed in a ring shape. The white line at the bottom represents the distance light can travel in four days. (Source: ©EHT Collaboration)
Starting in 2017, EHT observed M87 in 2018, 2021, and 2022, and plans to continue observations in 2024. In particular, this year, the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute’s Korean VLBI Network (KVN) is expected to participate in the observation and secure more accurate black hole images.
“One of the most important values of scientific research is the reproducibility of observation results,” said Dr. Keiichi Asada of the Taiwan Central Research Institute’s Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Institute, who is in charge of international joint research. “The fact that the existence of a black hole shadow has been confirmed through new observations is an important result that clearly proves Einstein’s theory of general relativity,” he said.
Professor Jong-ho Park of the Department of Space Exploration at Kyung Hee University, who co-led the black hole imaging team, said, “This result not only once again verified the first M87 black hole image released in 2017, but also captured the changing appearance of the ring over a short period of time of one year, making it a major discovery.” “It is significant,” he emphasized, adding, “This result shows the importance of continuous black hole observation.”
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