Observability of Isolated Stellar-mass Black Holes
Stellar-mass black holes (BHs) represent the natural end states of massive stars. It is estimated that 10 ^8 stellar-mass BHs are present in the Milky Way galaxy, a significant fraction of which are expected to be isolated. Despite their expected abundance, only about 20 have been detected so far—mo...
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IOP Publishing
2025-01-01
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| Series: | The Astrophysical Journal Letters |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ade7f8 |
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| author | Lena Murchikova Kailash C. Sahu |
| author_facet | Lena Murchikova Kailash C. Sahu |
| author_sort | Lena Murchikova |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Stellar-mass black holes (BHs) represent the natural end states of massive stars. It is estimated that 10 ^8 stellar-mass BHs are present in the Milky Way galaxy, a significant fraction of which are expected to be isolated. Despite their expected abundance, only about 20 have been detected so far—mostly in binary systems—with just one confirmed isolated black hole (IsoBH) identified via astrometric microlensing. In this study, we investigate the potential for detecting electromagnetic emissions from IsoBHs by generating synthetic model spectra of their emissions in different types of interstellar medium environments. These model spectra are then compared with current observational capabilities. We show that photons emitted by IsoBHs—especially those accreting material in dense environments or within the solar neighborhood—should be readily detectable. However, confidently identifying these sources remains highly challenging. We conclude that a number of IsoBHs must already exist in current astronomical catalogs but have not been identified as such. We outline possible strategies for the detection and identification of IsoBHs using the current and upcoming telescopes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9182dfefdf9b46509b09be52f6f8baae |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2041-8205 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | IOP Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Astrophysical Journal Letters |
| spelling | doaj-art-9182dfefdf9b46509b09be52f6f8baae2025-08-20T03:27:57ZengIOP PublishingThe Astrophysical Journal Letters2041-82052025-01-019881L1210.3847/2041-8213/ade7f8Observability of Isolated Stellar-mass Black HolesLena Murchikova0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8986-5403Kailash C. Sahu1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6008-1955Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics, Northwestern University , Evanston, IL 60208, USA ; lena@northwestern.edu; Department of Physics & Astronomy, Northwestern University , Evanston, IL 60208, USA; School of Natural Sciences, Institute for Advanced Study , 1 Einstein Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540, USASpace Telescope Science Institute , 3700 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA ; ksahu@stsci.edu; Eureka Scientific Inc. , 2542 Delmar Avenue, Suite 100, Oakland, CA 94602-3017, USAStellar-mass black holes (BHs) represent the natural end states of massive stars. It is estimated that 10 ^8 stellar-mass BHs are present in the Milky Way galaxy, a significant fraction of which are expected to be isolated. Despite their expected abundance, only about 20 have been detected so far—mostly in binary systems—with just one confirmed isolated black hole (IsoBH) identified via astrometric microlensing. In this study, we investigate the potential for detecting electromagnetic emissions from IsoBHs by generating synthetic model spectra of their emissions in different types of interstellar medium environments. These model spectra are then compared with current observational capabilities. We show that photons emitted by IsoBHs—especially those accreting material in dense environments or within the solar neighborhood—should be readily detectable. However, confidently identifying these sources remains highly challenging. We conclude that a number of IsoBHs must already exist in current astronomical catalogs but have not been identified as such. We outline possible strategies for the detection and identification of IsoBHs using the current and upcoming telescopes.https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ade7f8Astrophysical black holesBlack holesStellar mass black holesAccretionInterstellar medium |
| spellingShingle | Lena Murchikova Kailash C. Sahu Observability of Isolated Stellar-mass Black Holes The Astrophysical Journal Letters Astrophysical black holes Black holes Stellar mass black holes Accretion Interstellar medium |
| title | Observability of Isolated Stellar-mass Black Holes |
| title_full | Observability of Isolated Stellar-mass Black Holes |
| title_fullStr | Observability of Isolated Stellar-mass Black Holes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Observability of Isolated Stellar-mass Black Holes |
| title_short | Observability of Isolated Stellar-mass Black Holes |
| title_sort | observability of isolated stellar mass black holes |
| topic | Astrophysical black holes Black holes Stellar mass black holes Accretion Interstellar medium |
| url | https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ade7f8 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lenamurchikova observabilityofisolatedstellarmassblackholes AT kailashcsahu observabilityofisolatedstellarmassblackholes |