Astronomers have long debated how supermassive black holes form, with two main theories: direct collapse and the “light seed” hypothesis. Now, researchers may have gained the first direct evidence for a supermassive black hole that formed through direct collapse.
The discovery was made using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to study a galaxy merger known as the Infinity Galaxy. This galaxy has traveled 8.3 billion years to reach us and appears distorted due to its collision with another galaxy, resembling an infinity symbol (∞). The lead author of the research, Pieter van Dokkum from Yale University, notes that the galaxy’s supermassive black hole is unusual in its location – not within one or both of its nuclei but in the middle.
The team proposes that this supermassive black hole formed through direct collapse, where a massive cloud of gas was compressed to create a giant black hole. This process would have allowed it to quickly grow into its current size. The alternative theory suggests that supermassive black holes are created by stars colliding and then merging, which is known as the “light seed” hypothesis.
Using JWST data, researchers found evidence that the supermassive black hole in question was likely formed through direct collapse. The key results include:
– An extended distribution of ionized gas surrounding the galaxy nuclei
– The presence of a central supermassive black hole with a velocity distribution similar to the surrounding gas, indicating it may have formed there
– Two additional active supermassive black holes discovered in each of the galaxy nuclei
While the team cannot confirm that the observed black hole formed directly through collapse, the new data strengthens the case for this theory and eliminates some alternative explanations. As researchers continue to analyze the data, they will uncover more about this remarkable object and its possible birth story.
Source: https://www.iflscience.com/newly-discovered-infinity-galaxy-might-explain-how-supermassive-black-hole-came-to-be-80042