1. Relativistic Precession: Einstein's theory predicts that the inner accretion disk of a black hole system should undergo precession or a "wobble," caused by the strong gravitational forces near the black hole. Observations of MAXI J1820+070 revealed such a precession in its X-ray emission, providing empirical evidence for this relativistic effect.
2. Gravitational Redshift: As matter falls toward the black hole, it experiences strong gravitational forces that affect the observed properties of its radiation. Einstein's general relativity predicts a gravitational redshift—a stretching of light's wavelength—in the emitted X-rays from the inner accretion disk. MAXI J1820+070 data showed a strong gravitational redshift, matching the theoretical predictions.
3. Confirmation of Black Hole Spin: Accretion disks in black hole systems are thought to align with the black hole's spin axis due to gravitational interactions. Observations of MAXI J1820+070 provided an estimate of the black hole's spin magnitude and revealed that the accretion disk was largely aligned with the black hole's spin, consistent with theoretical expectations.
4. X-ray Jets and Lense-Thirring Precession: During MAXI J1820+070's outburst, powerful X-ray jets were observed. According to the theory of general relativity, rotating black holes should induce a subtle effect called the Lense-Thirring precession, which influences the trajectory of these jets. Analysis of the jet properties aligned with this theoretical prediction.
Overall, the X-ray data from MAXI J1820+070 provided strong observational support for several key aspects of Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity and our understanding of the behavior of matter in extreme gravitational environments near black holes. These findings highlight the precision and predictive power of Einstein's theory in describing astronomical phenomena and push the boundaries of our knowledge in black hole astrophysics.
