Recent research has shed light on the enigmatic magnetic properties of black holes, suggesting they derive these fields from their progenitor stars. Utilizing advanced simulations, scientists have been able to model the lifecycle of stars from their birth to their eventual collapse into black holes. This breakthrough offers a clearer picture of how some of the universe’s most powerful phenomena, such as gamma-ray bursts, originate.
Previous studies speculated on various sources for black hole magnetism, but none provided a comprehensive explanation that accounted for the observed strength of relativistic jets and gamma-ray bursts. The new findings build upon earlier theories, offering a more detailed mechanism by which magnetic fields are preserved during the collapse process. This continuity aligns with observed astronomical events more closely than prior models.
How Do Black Holes Acquire Magnetic Fields?
Black holes obtain their magnetic fields from the stars that collapse to form them. According to Ore Gottlieb, a Research Fellow at the Flatiron Institute, the magnetic lines of the parent neutron star become anchored in the surrounding accretion disk during the collapse, preserving the magnetic field as the black hole forms.
What Role Do Accretion Disks Play?
Accretion disks are crucial in maintaining the magnetic fields of newly formed black holes. The simulations conducted by the research team demonstrated that these disks form rapidly enough to retain the magnetic lines from the collapsing neutron star, enabling the black hole to sustain strong magnetic fields necessary for jet formation.
How Does This Impact Our Understanding of Gamma-Ray Bursts?
This discovery links the magnetic fields of black holes directly to the mechanisms behind gamma-ray bursts. With a sustained magnetic field inherited from the parent star, black holes can generate the powerful relativistic jets observed in gamma-ray bursts, providing a clearer explanation for these intense cosmic events.
The study led by Ore Gottlieb and his team from the Flatiron Institute, Columbia University, and other institutions introduces a pivotal understanding of black hole magnetism. By confirming that accretion disks preserve magnetic fields during collapse, researchers can better predict and analyze the behavior of relativistic jets and gamma-ray bursts. This insight not only resolves a longstanding mystery but also opens new avenues for observing and studying the dynamics of black holes in the universe.
