Astronomers Spot Black Hole's Tantrum (Space.com)

Created by : Francis Goodwin View profile

By SPACE.com Staff

Nov. 27, 2006 -- An eruption of high-energy radiation recently signaled a tantrum unleashed by a black hole, astronomers announced.

The event, which occurred near the crowded center of our galaxy, is a rare prize for astronomers.

The outburst was discovered Sept. 17 in data from the European Space Agency's orbiting gamma-ray observatory, Integral. Gamma rays are the highest form of radiation known.

The Integral astronomers notified other observatories, and a watch began for the gamma rays, X-rays and other wavelengths of light [image].

The outburst continued to rise in brightness for a few days before beginning a gradual decline that lasted for weeks. The pattern is called a light curve.