NASA Reveals a Secret Realm of Supermassive Black Holes

Using multiple NASA telescopes, scientists have conducted a groundbreaking survey to detect both visible and hidden supermassive black holes—colossal objects billions of times more massive than the Sun. Nearly every large galaxy is thought to harbor one at its core, yet directly counting them is impossible. Instead, astronomers analyze smaller samples to estimate their overall population. Accurately identifying obscured black holes helps refine these estimates and improve our understanding of their role in galaxy formation.

A recent study published in the Astrophysical Journal found that roughly 35% of supermassive black holes are heavily shrouded in gas and dust, blocking even low-energy X-ray light. Previous surveys suggested that less than 15% were so obscured, but theoretical models predict the true number should be closer to 50%. If observations continue to show fewer hidden black holes than expected, scientists may need to revise key assumptions about their formation and impact on galaxies.

Illuminating the Darkness: How Black Holes Shape the Universe

Despite their inherently dark nature, black holes can become some of the brightest objects in the universe. As gas spirals toward a supermassive black hole, intense friction and heat generate radiation powerful enough to outshine an entire galaxy. Surrounding these luminous disks, thick clouds of gas and dust—often shaped like a torus (doughnut)—either reveal or conceal the black hole depending on the viewing angle.

When observed face-on, the bright disk is fully visible. However, when viewed edge-on, the torus blocks much of the light. Scientists rely on infrared and high-energy X-ray observations to detect these obscured black holes and study their impact on galactic evolution.

Identifying Hidden Giants with Advanced Telescopes

Infrared observations help detect hidden black holes that traditional telescopes miss. NASA’s IRAS, which operated in 1983, identified the infrared glow from gas clouds surrounding black holes, revealing both visible and obscured ones. However, some sources were star-forming galaxies, so researchers used optical telescopes to refine the sample. They then relied on NASA’s NuSTAR, which detects high-energy X-rays that penetrate gas clouds, confirming hidden black holes.

“It’s amazing how valuable IRAS and NuSTAR were, despite IRAS operating over 40 years ago,” said study lead Peter Boorman. “This shows the lasting impact of telescope archives and multi-wavelength observations.”

Understanding Black Hole Growth and Galactic Evolution

By comparing hidden and non-hidden black holes, scientists can better understand how these cosmic giants grow. If black holes expand primarily by consuming surrounding material, many should be surrounded by thick gas clouds, making them harder to detect. The study’s findings support this theory, reinforcing the idea that black holes accumulate mass through continuous feeding.

Black holes also shape their host galaxies by regulating star formation. As they devour gas, they can eject excess material back into space, disrupting star-forming regions and influencing a galaxy’s overall structure.

“Without black holes, galaxies would be much larger,” explained Poshak Gandhi, an astrophysicist at the University of Southampton and co-author of the study. “For instance, if the Milky Way lacked a supermassive black hole, the night sky might contain many more stars. This demonstrates how crucial black holes are to galaxy evolution.”

The Future of Black Hole Research

These findings underscore the need for continued exploration using advanced telescopes and multi-wavelength observations. Future missions will aim to uncover more obscured black holes, refine galactic growth models, and answer lingering questions about how these cosmic behemoths shape the universe.

Read Original Article: Scitechdaily

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