* Astronomy

M82X-2: Suspected Black Hole Unmasked as Ultraluminous Pulsar

The latest study of M82X-2 provides new challenges for theorists to develop models explaining how a pulsar can pull matter inward and produce such copious X-rays. When matter is pulled toward a dense, compact object, like a pulsar, neutron star, or black hole, it is heated and produces X-rays. These X-rays create a radiation pressure that pushes out on the matter. For sustained infall of matter, the radiation pressure of the X-rays should be less than the pull of the compact object's gravity.
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