4C 37.11

Infobox Galaxy


name = 4C +37.11
epoch = J2000
type = Sycite web
title=NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database
work=Results for 0402+379
url=http://nedwww.ipac.caltech.edu/
accessdate=2006-11-26 ]
ra = RA|04|05|49.2
dec = DEC|+38|03|32
dist_ly = 750 Mly (230 Mpc) [cite web|url=http://www.physorg.com/news65714406.html|title=Scientists Find Closest Pair of Supermassive Black Holes|accessdate=2008-03-15|publisher=PhysOrg.com]
z = 16,500 ± 300 km/s
appmag_v = 17.2
size_v =
constellation name = Perseus
notes =
names = GLXY J0405+380 , B2 0402+37 , 2MASX J04054928+3803320 , RX J0405.8+3803

4C +37.11 or Galaxy 0402+379 is a radio galaxy and elliptical galaxy with the binary supermassive black holes with the least separation of any directly observed binaries, as of 2006. The separation between the two is 24 light-years or 7.3 parsecs, with an orbital period of 150,000 years.

The previous directly observed least separation of supermassive binary black holes was 2,400 light-years. However quasar OJ 287 is inferred to have a binary supermassive black hole pair with an orbital period of 12 years, and thus be much closer together, however, they have not been directly observed.

The eventual collision of the pair would result in strong gravitational waves.

References

* [http://www.unm.edu/~market/cgi-bin/archives/001219.html VLBA Reveals Closest Pair of Supermassive Black Holes] (UNM Today) May 02, 2006
* [http://qso.lanl.gov/meetings/meet2006/abs_rodriguez.html A Compact Supermassive Black-Hole Binary System] (Los Alamos National Laborator - LANL)

External links

* [http://space.com/scienceastronomy/060501_bh_neighbors.html Black Hole Pair Sets Proximity Record] (SPACE.com) 01 May 2006 02:04 pm ET
* [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12582484/ Two black holes come oh-so-close] (MSNBC) 5:23 p.m. ET May 1, 2006
* [http://www.newscientistspace.com/article/dn9034-colossal-black-holes-seen-in-closest-clinch-yet.html Colossal black holes seen in closest clinch yet] (New Scientist) 16:02 21 April 2006
* [http://www.centauri-dreams.org/?p=644 A Supermassive Black Hole Pairing] (Centauri Dreams)
* [http://www.physorg.com/news65714406.html Scientists Find Closest Pair of Supermassive Black Holes] (PhysOrg.com) May 01, 2006
* [http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=19745 VLBA Reveals Closest Pair of Supermassive Black Holes] (SpaceRef.com) Monday, May 1, 2006
* [http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n0605/01blackholepair/ Closest-spaced giant black hole pair found] (SpaceFlight Now) May 1, 2006