NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has solved a long-standing mystery in cosmology, revealing that the “little red dots” (LRDs) detected in ancient universe photographs are not massive galaxies as previously thought. Instead, they are growing supermassive black holes.
According to Dr. Dale Kocevski, a professor of astronomy and physics at Colby College, his research confirms that 81% of the LRDs are active galactic nuclei (AGN), meaning they have central black holes causing them to glow. This discovery answers some questions but also raises new ones about the abundance of black holes in the early universe.
Kocevski’s team found that the redshift distribution of these objects indicates a point after which they stop existing, suggesting an era of obscured black hole growth in the early universe. The research validates the usefulness of JWST as a tool for learning more about the universe, and it also reveals that massive holes may have formed first and then galaxies grew around them at later times.
The discovery is significant because it shows that dust-reddened black hole growth in the LRDs is more common than previously observed. This finding validates Kocevski’s research and highlights the importance of JWST data in understanding these enigmatic objects.
The findings have implications for our understanding of the universe, particularly regarding the formation of supermassive black holes and galaxies. As Kocevski notes, “the discovery of LRDs is a testament to the power of JWST” in uncovering new insights into the cosmos.
Source: https://www.salon.com/2025/01/19/astronomers-solve-mystery-of-little-red-dots-spotted-by-james-webb-space-telescope