James Webb Telescope Finds Fewer Supermassive Black Holes in Early Universe Than Expected

The James Webb Space Telescope, launched by NASA, has made several significant discoveries including ancient galaxies, black holes, and other deep space phenomena. However, recent data from the James Webb telescope contradicts the theory that supermassive black holes are abundant in the early universe. Instead, the telescope reveals that they are less common than previously believed. Researchers are now investigating these findings further.

Discoveries of black holes

According to a study published in The Astrophysical Journal, researchers discovered slowly growing supermassive black holes. This discovery was made using the Webb Space Telescope’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI). Allison Kirkpatrick, an astronomer at the University of Kansas and lead author of the study, said: “As it turns out, these black holes are likely growing more slowly than previously thought, which is intriguing given that the galaxies I’ve studied are reminiscent of our Milky Way’s past.” He also added that the research allowed them to study bright galaxies.

The research tool was placed in a part of space called the Extended Growth Strip, located between the constellations Ursa Major and Boötes near Ottawa. Supermassive black holes are like giants in space. They weigh hundreds of thousands or billions of times more than our Sun and have strong gravitational fields. They are found in the centers of galaxies, where they pull in some of the materials and then spit some of it out. However, these black holes do not grow rapidly and absorb very less space material, but they are very bright compared to other massive black holes. Also, they don’t have a serious effect on their host galaxy because there are fewer of them.

This discovery expands our understanding of such massive black holes and their influence on the largest galaxies. With the help of the Webb telescope, scientists will be able to unravel more of the mysteries of black holes and active galactic nuclei, or AGN. Previously, it was observed that these supermassive black holes grow rapidly, but now by studying more, scientists have discovered new information.

According to a report by Space.com. University of Kansas research has been given more time with JWST to expand knowledge of black holes, with future research aiming to study about 5,000 early galaxies.