A team of researchers analyzing data from the Extended Groth Strip, a region of space between the constellations Ursa Major and Boötes, has found that supermassive black holes are growing at a slower pace than previously thought. The team used observations from the Webb Space Telescope’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) to study active galactic nuclei (AGN), which are galactic cores that emit high levels of radiation. Their findings, published in The Astrophysical Journal, indicate that the black holes in the observed galaxies resemble the Milky Way from the past.

Prior observations using the Spitzer Space Telescope were limited to studying the brightest and most massive galaxies with rapidly growing supermassive black holes, making them easier to detect. The Webb telescope, which launched in 2021, has provided more detailed imaging of galaxies, allowing astronomers to study a wider range of black hole growth rates.

Supermassive black holes are enormously massive objects with intense gravitational fields. They reside at the center of galaxies and can accrete and sometimes expel material. The slower growth rate of supermassive black holes discovered by the team suggests that they may have limited impact on their host galaxies.

The Extended Groth Strip, which is part of the Cosmi Evolution Early Release Science (CEERS) program, is a target for studying the earliest galaxies and their structures, as well as the growth conditions of stars and black holes. The Webb telescope, situated at a location called L2 about one million miles from Earth, has been able to capture images of ancient galaxies and planets in our solar system. The mission’s expected lifespan is five years but due to the precise launch, it may remain operational for over a decade.

This discovery opens up new perspectives on the growth of black holes, as our current understanding is largely based on the most massive black holes in the largest galaxies. Further research using the Webb telescope and other potential projects, such as the Event Horizon Explorer, could reveal more insights into galactic evolution and the role of supermassive black holes.

Source: The Astrophysical Journal

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