Unveiling the Hidden Universe: Infrared Light Reveals Tidal Disruption Events in Star-Forming Galaxies

Approximately every 10,000 years, a galaxy's core illuminates as its supermassive black hole shreds a nearby star, creating a "tidal disruption event" (TDE). These rare occurrences are marked by a massive radiation release, primarily in the form of X-rays and optical radiation. To date, astronomers have discovered around 100 TDEs in faraway galaxies, but MIT researchers have recently identified a unique TDE that emits infrared light.

In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers found the infrared glow of a TDE within NGC 7392, a galaxy situated roughly 137 million light-years from Earth. This event, named WTP14adbjsh, occurred in a young, star-forming galaxy, differing from the majority of known TDEs that typically originate in calmer galaxies. Experts had long suspected that TDEs should be present in star-forming galaxies, as the abundance of stars would offer ample fuel for a black hole's consumption.

The MIT study implies that conventional X-ray and optical detection methods may have overlooked TDEs in star-forming galaxies due to the presence of dust, which can obscure the light emanating from their centers. By exploring the infrared spectrum, astronomers could potentially uncover hidden TDEs within active star-forming galaxies, significantly advancing our understanding of these extraordinary events. Further observations and research hold the key to unlocking more of the mysteries surrounding TDEs.

Source: MIT