The James Webb Space Telescope Detects Most Distant Black Hole in Space
Discovery extends understanding of black hole formation and early universe
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have detected the most distant black hole in the universe to date, extending our understanding of the formation and evolution of these enigmatic objects and providing new insights into the early universe.
At the heart of the galaxy ESO 428-G14, located 13.1 billion light-years from Earth, the black hole, named GN-z11, is estimated to contain roughly a billion times the mass of our Sun. Its incredible distance means that astronomers are observing it as it existed only 750 million years after the Big Bang, when the universe was a mere 5% of its current age.
Prior to this discovery, the most distant known active supermassive black hole was detected at 12.9 billion light-years away. The discovery of GN-z11 pushes this boundary even further, providing new clues about the formation and growth of these colossal cosmic entities.
The team of researchers, led by Dr. Chris Willott of Newcastle University and Dr. Fuyan Bian of the European Space Agency, used the Webb Telescope's powerful infrared instruments to detect the black hole's characteristic emissions. By measuring the wavelength and brightness of these emissions, they were able to determine the black hole's mass and distance.
This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the early universe. Black holes are thought to play a crucial role in galaxy formation and evolution, and the existence of such a massive black hole so early in the universe suggests that they may have played a significant role in the early development of galaxies.
The research team plans to continue studying GN-z11 and other distant black holes using the James Webb Space Telescope, with the aim of gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the formation and evolution of these fascinating objects and their role in shaping the early universe.
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