New Study Reveals Supermassive Black Hole M87 Spins at 80% of Limit

A recent study has provided new insights into the supermassive black hole at the center of the elliptical galaxy Messier 87 (M87), revealing that it spins at approximately 80% of the theoretical maximum speed allowed by the laws of physics. This groundbreaking research, published on June 8, 2025, highlights the black hole's extraordinary nature, as it continues to challenge our understanding of cosmic phenomena.

The research team utilized data from the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), which famously captured the first image of the black hole's event horizon in 2019. Dr. Mark Thompson, lead researcher and astrophysicist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), stated, "The black hole M87 is not just spinning rapidly; it is also consuming matter at an astonishing rate. The inner edge of its accretion disk rotates at about 14% the speed of light, which translates to approximately 42 million meters per second."

In their analysis, the scientists observed a phenomenon known as relativistic Doppler beaming, causing asymmetric brightness in the black hole's accretion disk. This effect allowed them to measure the rotational speed accurately. Furthermore, the study indicated that matter is falling into M87 at a rate of roughly 70 million meters per second, which is about 23% the speed of light. This rate of consumption is estimated to be between 0.00004 to 0.4 solar masses per year, a relatively modest figure for a black hole of this size, considering it weighs approximately 6.5 billion times the mass of our Sun.

The implications of these findings extend beyond mere curiosity. They suggest that the energy produced by the infalling material closely matches the power output of M87's iconic jet, a beam of particles that extends thousands of light-years into space. Dr. Sarah Johnson, an astrophysicist at Harvard University and co-author of the study, commented, "This correlation reinforces the idea that the black hole's feeding process powers its jets, a critical aspect of galaxy formation and evolution."

Historically, estimates of M87's spin have varied widely, ranging from 0.1 to 0.98. The current study, however, positions the spin definitively at least at 0.8, with potential for it to be even closer to the theoretical maximum of 0.998. This advancement in measurement techniques showcases the evolving nature of astrophysical research and our growing comprehension of black holes.

As astronomical instruments continue to improve, M87 is poised to serve as a laboratory for testing theories of gravity and the extreme physics of the universe. Dr. Lionel Garcia, a theoretical physicist at the California Institute of Technology, added, "Each new piece of data we collect brings us closer to understanding the fundamental questions regarding the influence of these cosmic giants on their host galaxies and the universe as a whole."

In conclusion, the findings surrounding the supermassive black hole M87 not only enhance our knowledge of black hole dynamics but also underscore the significance of continued research in unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos. The future of astrophysics lies in such studies, promising further revelations about the nature of these enigmatic entities and their roles in the universe's grand design.