{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Astronomy Cast Ep. 781: Awakening Black Holes","description":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=PpZRjII8qkc Hosted by: Fraser Cain (@frasercain) and Dr. Pamela L. Gay (@CosmoQuest) Streamed live on Feb 2, 2026. One long standing mystery in astronomy were the quasars. Incomprehensible energy blasting out of a point-like source, billions of light years away. We now know these are actively feeding supermassive black holes, which can turn off and on in a startlingly short period of time. Today: When black holes awaken! Our Universe is filled with sleeping monsters. And sometimes, whether we want it or not, they wake up hungry. In this episode, we take a look at the science behind how and why black holes of all sizes can go from nothing to the triggers of massive high-energy power release. &amp;nbsp; This show is supported through people like you on Patreon.com\/AstronomyCast&amp;nbsp; In this episode, we'd like to thank: Burry Gowen, Eric Lee, Jeanette Wink, Michael Purcell, Andrew Poelstra, David, David Rossetter, Ed, Gerhard Schwarzer, Jason Kwong, Joe McTee, Sergey Manouilov, Siggi Kemmler, Sergio Sancevero &amp;nbsp; Image credit: LOFAR\/Pan-STARRS\/S. Kumari et al. &amp;nbsp; We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs.&amp;nbsp; Just visit: https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/365DaysOfAstronomy and donate as much as you can! Share the podcast with your friends and send the Patreon link to them too!&amp;nbsp; Every bit helps! Thank you! ------------------------------------ Do go visit http:\/\/www.redbubble.com\/people\/CosmoQuestX\/shop for cool Astronomy Cast and CosmoQuest t-shirts, coffee mugs and other awesomeness! http:\/\/cosmoquest.org\/Donate This show is made possible through your donations.&amp;nbsp; Thank you! (Haven't donated? It's not too late! Just click!) ------------------------------------ The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast is produced by the Planetary Science Institute. http:\/\/www.psi.edu Visit us on the web at 365DaysOfAstronomy.org or email us at info@365DaysOfAstronomy.org. ","author_name":"The 365 Days of Astronomy","author_url":"http:\/\/www.365DaysOfAstronomy.org\/","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/40032490\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/198351445"}