The James Webb space telescope has revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos by enabling the discovery of celestial objects that were previously beyond our reach, including ancient galaxies that defy theoretical expectations. In a remarkable feat, the Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science (CEERS) Survey conducted with the James Webb telescope has revealed the most distant active supermassive black hole ever observed.
Using near- and mid-infrared imagery captured by James Webb, scientists have identified a supermassive black hole residing in a galaxy named CEERS 1019. Astonishingly, this black hole came into existence a mere 570 million years after the Big Bang and boasts a mass equivalent to approximately 9 million suns. The data collected by the telescope has also shed light on the black hole’s behavior, revealing its voracious consumption of gas and the subsequent generation of new stars. Jeyhan Kartaltepe, a member of the CEERS team from the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, suggests that the merger of galaxies may be fueling the activity in this particular black hole, potentially contributing to increased star formation. An image accompanying the discovery shows CEERS 1019 manifesting as three distinct luminous clumps.
It is worth noting that this black hole, with its mass of 9 million solar masses, is significantly smaller than previously identified active supermassive black holes. Typically, these cosmic entities possess over a billion times the mass of our sun, rendering them more luminous and easier to detect. CEERS 1019 bears a closer resemblance to the black hole residing in the core of our own galaxy, which weighs approximately 4.6 million times the mass of the sun. While scientists have long speculated the existence of smaller black holes in the early universe, it is the operational capabilities of the James Webb telescope that have finally confirmed their presence.
In fact, the CEERS Survey team has uncovered two additional ancient yet diminutive black holes through their analysis of James Webb’s data. The CEERS 746 black hole emerged one billion years after the Big Bang, while the CEERS 2782 black hole has persisted since 1.1 billion years after this cataclysmic event. When observed using alternative instruments, these black holes exhibit appearances akin to ordinary galaxies undergoing the process of star formation. Presently, astronomers are scrutinizing further distant black holes detected by the James Webb telescope, which implies that CEERS 1019’s record may be surpassed in the near future.
Steven Finkelstein, the lead of the CEERS team from the University of Texas at Austin, remarked, “Until now, our understanding of objects in the early universe has largely relied on theoretical models. With the advent of Webb, we not only observe black holes and galaxies at extraordinary distances, but we can also accurately measure their properties. This telescope wields tremendous power.”
The formation of this black hole shortly after the inception of the universe remains a perplexing conundrum for scientists. However, Webb’s ongoing data accumulation may provide the vital clues needed to unravel the mysteries surrounding the formation of early black holes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about supermassive black hole discovery
Q: What has the James Webb telescope discovered about supermassive black holes?
A: The James Webb telescope has enabled the discovery of the most distant active supermassive black hole to date. It has provided insights into the existence of smaller black holes in the early universe and their behaviors, such as gas consumption and star formation.
More about supermassive black hole discovery
- NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope
- Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science (CEERS) Survey
- Supermassive Black Holes – NASA
- James Webb Space Telescope – Wikipedia
