Scientists observe record-breaking flare from distant supermassive black hole
California: Scientists have observed the brightest known flare emitted from a supermassive black hole. According to researcher it is a burst that shone with the intensity of nearly 10 trillion suns. Such an event was first recorded in 2018. This new occurrence is helping astronomers understand the behavior and surroundings of black holes in the early universe.
A camera at the Palomar Observatory in California detected the flare. It grew to peak brightness over three months. It is gradually fading since then. Researchers believe a big star drifting too close to the black hole and being torn apart caused the burst.
“At first, we did not really believe the numbers about the energy,” said study author Matthew Graham of the California Institute of Technology, which operates the observatory.
Nature Astronomy published the details of the flare on Tuesday. It informed that the black hole responsible for the flare is located about 10 billion light years away. It is the most distant event of its kind ever recorded. The universe was still relatively young at the time the flare is believed to have occurred.
Scientists say these events provide clues about the gas, stars and magnetic activity surrounding these black holes. According to Joseph Michail of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, who was not part of the study, such findings help researchers “probe the interaction of supermassive black holes with their environments early in the universe.”
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Kerala HC gives interim protection from arrest to Rahul Mamkootathil in rape case
Kochi (PTI): The Kerala High Court on Saturday gave interim protection from arrest to expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in a case of rape and forced abortion against him.
Justice K Babu said that it will hear Mamkootathil's anticipatory bail plea on December 15 and till then he should not be arrested.
"Petitioner shall not be arrested during the pendency. Post on December 15, 2025," the court said.
Advocate S Rajeev, appearing for the expelled Congress MLA confirmed the order.
ALSO READ: SIT formed to probe second sexual assault case against expelled Cong MLA Mamkootathil
However, Mamkootathil is accused in a second case of sexual assault.
A sessions court in Thiruvananthapuram had on Thursday rejected his plea for anticipatory bail in the first case of rape and forced abortion registered against him last week.
A second rape case was lodged against him on Wednesday based on the complaint of a second woman, a resident of Bengaluru.
Mamkootathil, who has been absconding since the registration of the first rape case against him, has claimed in his plea in the High Court that he was innocent and his custodial interrogation was not required.
He has also contended that the relationship between him and the first complainant was consensual and when it became strained, a complaint was lodged against him.
The MLA has further claimed that the woman was married, but separated from her husband, and in order to "save her own skin" she disowned their relationship.
In his plea, Mamkootathil has said that he was prepared to explain each and every circumstance of the offences alleged against him and will also cooperate with the probe if he would get an opportunity to appear before the investigating officer without any fear of arrest.
He has also alleged that there is an attempt by the investigation agency to "mislead the facts" and he has got ample documents to establish the same.
