Jan 14, 2025, 4:19 PM
Jan 14, 2025, 11:22 AM

There might be many more supermassive black holes hiding around us than we thought, scientists warn

Highlights
  • A study from the University of Southampton reveals that a large percentage of supermassive black holes remain hidden due to dense gas and dust clouds.
  • The research estimates that 35% of these black holes have gone unnoticed, significantly higher than the previously understood 15%.
  • Understanding the number of hidden black holes is essential for grasping their influence on galactic evolution and star formation.
Story

In a recent study, scientists from the University of Southampton revealed that a significant number of supermassive black holes in the universe are concealed from observation due to obscuring clouds of gas and dust. The research indicated that 35% of these enormous cosmic entities, some billions of times heavier than the Sun, remain undiscovered. This new estimation is substantially higher than the previous figure of about 15%, suggesting a dramatic undercount of these celestial phenomena. The findings were published in the Astrophysical Journal, showcasing the complexity and hidden nature of black holes. The research team utilized data obtained from NASA's InfraRed Astronomy Satellite and the X-ray space telescope NuSTAR, focusing on analyzing infrared emissions from the remnants encircling supermassive black holes. The concept of black holes has fascinated astronomers for centuries; they are enigmatic entities that warp spacetime and exert immense gravitational forces. However, their evolution remains poorly understood due to their elusive nature. As stated by Professor Poshak Gandhi, a co-author of the study, many of these black holes exist

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