⚫ Here is the most accurate simulation of a black hole to date

Black holes, those cosmic objects from which even light cannot escape, remain by definition invisible to our eyes. How then can we understand their behavior? A team of astrophysicists has taken a giant step by creating the most detailed simulations to date of matter falling into a black hole.

Published in The Astrophysical Journal, this study uses state-of-the-art supercomputers to model accretion with complete physics, including general relativity and radiation. This is how, for the first time, behaviors observed in the Universe are faithfully reproduced, offering a window onto phenomena once beyond reach.


This success required access to exascale machines like Frontier and Aurora. These computers, occupying entire rooms, can perform quintillions of operations per second. Furthermore, researchers developed innovative algorithms that directly solve the equations without resorting to simplifying approximations, marking a significant technical advance.

While previous models often treated radiation as a fluid, which did not match its reality, the new approach considers it as it is. This precision is fundamental near the black holes' horizon where spacetime is warped and interactions are strong, allowing for a more accurate representation of the physical processes.


These simulations focus on stellar-mass black holes, approximately ten times more massive than the Sun. They reveal the formation of turbulent disks, powerful winds, and jets. Indeed, the results align perfectly with spectral data from observations, offering solid validation for interpreting these distant objects with greater confidence.

Subsequently, the team plans to extend this model to supermassive black holes, which influence galaxy evolution. Adapting the calculations to different temperatures and densities will open new perspectives.

This success is the fruit of years of work in applied mathematics and coding, involving collaborators from several institutions. A team member indicates that the next step is to fully leverage emerging scientific discoveries, which could transform our understanding of accretion systems.

Accretion disks: what makes black holes "bright"

Accretion disks are structures of matter that orbit black holes, formed when gas and dust are drawn in by their intense gravity. This process generates enormous amounts of energy in the form of radiation, making black holes indirectly visible from Earth. Without these disks, these objects would remain completely black and undetectable.

The formation of these disks depends on the rate at which matter falls and on magnetic interactions. Near the black hole, gravitational forces create friction that heats the matter to extreme temperatures, emitting X-rays and other forms of light. This allows astronomers to study the properties of black holes, such as their mass or spin, using specialized telescopes.

Understanding accretion disks is central to explaining how black holes influence their surroundings. They can launch high-energy particle jets and winds that affect nearby star formation. Recent simulations help predict these phenomena, linking observations to physical theory for a more complete picture of the Universe.