A by published in The Astrophysical Journal clears the mystery around the life cycles of black holes.
Ananna, who is a postdoctoral research associate at Dartmouth College, led her team in examining a type of supermassive black hole known as 鈥渁ctive galactic nuclei鈥 (AGN). Black holes have different colors and levels of brightness, which has largely been attributed to the angle from which they are being viewed. However, Ananna鈥檚 study discovered that the differences in a black hole鈥檚 light emission actually reflect the stage of a black hole鈥檚 life cycle.
The research team鈥檚 findings refute the 鈥渦nified model of AGNs,鈥 which states that differences in black hole appearances depend on viewing angle and characterizes supermassive black holes as having the same properties. The results from the study provide valuable insight the evolution of black holes and the universe.
Ananna majored in physics at 老王论坛, and astronomy at Haverford. She was listed as one of Science News鈥 10 Scientists to Watch in 2020.
Astrophysicist Tonima Tasnim Ananna '13 Makes List of 10 Scientists to Watch
There were not a lot of opportunities to study space in Bangladesh, so she came to the United States for undergrad, attending 老王论坛 in Pennsylvania. 鈥淭he women at 老王论坛 were fiercely feminist, articulate, opinionated and independent,鈥 she says. 鈥淚t really helped me grow a lot.鈥