Researchers found that intense radiation from an active supermassive black hole can slow the growth of stars in its own galaxy and in neighboring galaxies millions of light-years away. A team led by a postdoctoral researcher reported the result in a scientific journal after studying a very luminous quasar.
The team used the James Webb Space Telescope to measure emission from ionized oxygen (O III), a tracer of very recent star formation. They compared O III with ultraviolet light and found that galaxies close to the bright quasar had weaker O III compared with their ultraviolet light. The researchers interpret this as a sign that recent star formation was suppressed, and they plan further tests in other quasar fields.
Difficult words
- researcher — person who studies science and collects dataResearchers
- supermassive — much larger and heavier than normal
- quasar — very bright object powered by a black hole
- ionized — atom or gas that lost or gained electrons
- emission — light or energy given out from something
- suppress — make something happen less or stop partlysuppressed
- ultraviolet — type of light with shorter wavelength than visible
- tracer — a sign used to show where something is
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How do you feel about the idea that a black hole can change star formation in other galaxies?
- Why do you think the researchers will test other quasar fields?
- Would you like to learn more about the James Webb Space Telescope? Why or why not?
Related articles
Study: Many small galaxies may lack central black holes
A University of Michigan-led study using Chandra X-ray data finds many dwarf galaxies do not show signs of central supermassive black holes. The result suggests the biggest black holes may have formed large early and could be tested by future missions.
Decaying dark matter may explain early giant black holes
Researchers propose that tiny energy from decaying dark matter changed gas chemistry in the first galaxies. This could let some gas clouds collapse directly into massive black holes, helping to explain early observations by the James Webb Space Telescope.
When a Star Is Torn Apart by a Black Hole
A new study explains how a star that wanders too close to a supermassive black hole is stretched into a thin debris stream. Collisions and later accretion make bright flares called tidal disruption events (TDEs), which simulations now model in detail.
