Three Supermassive Black Holes Discovered in a Single Galaxy
JWST provides new clues about how black holes grew in the early universe.
1Historic Discovery
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has detected three supermassive black holes coexisting in the galaxy J0148-4214. This discovery dates back to a time when the universe was just 1.2 billion years old. Two of the black holes are located just 620 light-years apart near the galaxy's center and are expected to merge within a few hundred million years.
2Masses and Growth Rates
The black holes have masses of approximately 80 million, 0.6 million, and 2 million solar masses, respectively. Interestingly, the largest black hole is growing at a slower rate than its smaller neighbor. The smaller black hole is even exceeding the maximum growth rate predicted by basic black hole growth theories (the Eddington limit).
3Galaxy's Total Mass
Researchers estimated the galaxy's total stellar mass to be about 1.3 billion solar masses. The black holes account for a significant portion of this mass, highlighting their critical role in galaxy evolution during the early universe.
4Merger Scenarios
The two central black holes are expected to merge within the next few hundred million years. Such mergers could provide an additional, rapid pathway for black hole growth in the early universe. The third black hole, located off-center, might be a remnant of a previous merger.
5Gravitational Effects
The off-center third black hole could either be a remnant of a past merger or have been displaced from the center due to gravitational recoil. Alternatively, it might currently be migrating toward the galactic center. These scenarios offer valuable insights into black hole dynamics.
6Early Universe Dynamics
Observations suggest that galaxies in the early universe were much closer together and frequently merged. During these mergers, the central black holes also coalesced, forming even more massive black holes. JWST's discovery provides new evidence supporting these processes.
7Research Team's Insights
Dr. Giovanni Mazzolari, the study's second author, noted that JWST data not only identified the black holes but also allowed estimates of their masses, accretion rates, and the galaxy's stellar mass. These findings enhance our understanding of black holes' role in galaxy evolution.
8Implications for Astronomy
Prof. Roberto Maiolino from the University of Cambridge emphasized that these results offer a fresh perspective on how black holes grew so rapidly in the early universe. Black hole mergers might be a key driver of this rapid growth. The discovery has generated significant excitement in the astronomical community.
Original article: Slashdot — Galaksinin Merkezinde Üç Süper Kütleli Kara Delik Keşfedildi