aljazeera.com
Smaller Supermassive Black Hole Found in Distant Galaxy
A supermassive black hole, initially estimated to be ten times larger, was found to have a mass equal to only one billion suns in a distant galaxy observed by scientists from the University of Southampton and colleagues, using the Gravity+ instrument at the European Southern Observatory in Chile.
English
United States
OtherScienceAstronomySupermassive Black HoleGalaxyQuasarCosmic Evolution
University Of SouthamptonEuropean Southern Observatory (Eso)Australian National University (Anu)Press Association (Pa)
Christian WolfSeb Hoenig
- How did the research team determine the black hole's mass and what methods were used?
- The team used the Gravity+ instrument at ESO's Very Large Telescope, combining light from four telescopes to analyze hot gas spiraling into the black hole. By observing the gas's behavior and interaction with intense radiation, they calculated the black hole's mass and determined that intense radiation prevents it from rapidly gaining mass.
- What is the significance of discovering a smaller-than-expected supermassive black hole in a distant galaxy?
- This discovery challenges existing models of black hole growth, suggesting that intense radiation can limit their mass accumulation. The black hole, located in a galaxy 12 billion light years away, is only one billion solar masses, significantly smaller than previously assumed.
- What implications does this finding have for our understanding of galaxy and black hole formation and evolution?
- This discovery suggests a need to revise current models of black hole and galaxy formation, particularly concerning the rapid growth of supermassive black holes in the early universe. Further research may lead to refined methods for measuring black hole masses and a better understanding of cosmic evolution.
Cognitive Concepts
1/5
Bias by Omission
The article could benefit from mentioning alternative perspectives or ongoing debates within the scientific community regarding black hole mass estimation techniques. While the study is presented as a significant breakthrough, briefly acknowledging potential counterarguments or limitations would enhance objectivity. The omission may be due to space constraints rather than intentional bias.