Massive Black Hole

In October 2007, the two largest stellar mass black holes were discovered. Stellar mass black holes are black holes that are created from the remnants of stars. Scientists originally believed that stellar mass black holes could not be much larger than 15 times the mass of the sun. These discoveries have called into question certain astronomical theories concerning the supernova process of dying stars.¹²

Fast Facts

1. Detected with the Chandra X-ray Observatory³
2. Discovered within two weeks of each other
3. No mechanism currently known for formation
4. Smaller than supermassive black holes found at the center of most galaxies

Black Hole M33 X-7

1. About 16 times the mass of the sun⁴
2. 3 million light years away⁴
3. In M33 binary system⁴

Black Hole IC 10 X-1

1. Between 24-33 times the mass of the sun⁵
2. 1.8 million light years away⁵
3. In constellation Cassiopeia⁵

Categories