Supermassive

The supermassive black hole is discovered by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope recently unveiled a groundbreaking discovery, revealing the most distant and active supermassive black hole. The agency made this significant announcement on July 6 of the Supermassive black hole discovered, marking a remarkable milestone in our understanding of the early universe.

The newly discovered black hole in a galaxy called CEERS 1019 is notably less massive than any previously identified in the early cosmos. CEERS 1019, the host galaxy of this extraordinary black hole, has existed for an astonishing 570 million years since the occurrence of the Big Bang. By studying this distant galaxy, scientists gain invaluable insights into the origins and evolution of the Milky Way. Estimated to have formed approximately 570 million years after the Big Bang, this black hole offers a fascinating window into the formation and development of galaxies across cosmic time.

The James Webb Telescope's observations indicate that the early universe harbored around 11 galaxies with lifespans ranging from 470 to 675 million years. The mass of the black hole in CEERS 1019 is approximately 4.6 million times that of the Sun, although it appears less luminous than its Milky Way counterpart. These massive black holes, long postulated in theory, have remained elusive until now. Additionally, NASA suggests the presence of numerous smaller black holes capable of engulfing galaxies.

The James Webb Telescope facilitates the discovery of black holes and galaxies at extreme distances and enables precise measurements to validate and refine scientific calculations. By analyzing the amount of gas consumed by the black hole, researchers can determine the origins of stars within its host galaxy, shedding light on stellar formation processes.

Renowned astronomer, Austin S. Finkelstein from the University of Texas, praises the James Webb Telescope for enabling a shift from theoretical research to empirical observation. This technological marvel allows scientists to observe black holes and galaxies at vast distances and accurately measure their sizes. When studying CEERS 1019, it appears as three distinct luminous groups instead of a single source, a common phenomenon for remote objects. According to Seiji Fujimoto from the University of Texas, the telescope’s capabilities are immense, promising a wealth of data that will fuel further exploration and potentially revise our understanding of star and galaxy formation and evolution.