A new study using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and other telescopes has revealed that supermassive black holes play a crucial role in shaping their environment. Instead of consuming matter indiscriminately, these cosmic juggernauts use an intricate process to renew fuel and grow.
Researchers observed seven distant galaxy clusters, containing some of the universe’s most massive galaxies with gigantic black holes ranging from millions to billions of times that of the sun. These massive black holes exerted influence over their surroundings, causing hot gas to cool before flowing back toward them. This self-sustaining cycle ensures a continuous supply of material, or “their own meals,” for the cosmic giants.
The study’s findings refute the assumption that black holes consume matter indiscriminately. Instead, they propose an intricate process of consuming and renewing fuel to grow. The data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and optical ground-based telescopes reveal how giant black holes kickstart a process to cool hot gas and form warm filaments.
This cycle triggers the return of warm gas, causing jets to release again, restarting the cycle. The researchers say this not only provides a never-ending fuel source for black holes but also plays a crucial role in allowing new stars to form.
The discovery sheds light on how black holes thrive for billions of years and challenges our understanding of these enigmatic entities.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/02/05/black-holes-cook-meals-nasa-data-study/78242653007