Black hole MAXI J0637−430 reveals unexpected accretion disk behavior

Researchers led by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) have discovered unexpected behavior in the accretion disk of the black hole system MAXI J0637−430. According to a study published in Nature Astronomy, the outer regions of the disk became more illuminated as the system's overall brightness began to decrease following a major eruption.

The phenomenon is attributed to changes in the shape of the disk's inner structure. During the peak of the eruption, the inner part of the disk swelled vertically, creating a shadow that blocked intense radiation from reaching the outer regions. As the eruption subsided and the brightness faded, the disk deflated, removing the shadow and exposing the outer regions to radiation.

MAXI J0637−430 is a binary system where a black hole consumes matter from a companion star. This material forms an accretion disk that emits high-energy radiation, particularly X-rays, as it approaches the event horizon. This discovery provides new insights into how these extreme environments evolve under varying conditions.