Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science (CEERS)

James Webb Space Telescope Revealing Distant Supermassive Black Holes

James Webb Space Telescope: Discover the most distant supermassive black hole, unraveling the secrets of the early universe

The James Webb Space Telescope has detected the most distant active supermassive black hole ever observed. The galaxy CEERS 1019, which appeared just over 570 million years after the Big Bang, hosts a black hole that is smaller in size compared to its counterparts in the early universe. But that’s not all: researchers have also identified two other smaller black holes, which existed 1 billion and 1.1 billion years after the Big Bang, respectively.

Collection of multiple images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope
Collection of multiple images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope. Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, Steve Finkelstein (UT Austin), Micaela Bagley (UT Austin), Rebecca Larson (UT Austin)

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James Webb Telescope’s Revelations about the Early Universe

Discovery of the most distant supermassive black hole:

The James Webb Space Telescope has recently achieved a remarkable milestone by detecting the most distant active supermassive black hole ever observed. This discovery was made possible through the use of high-resolution images in the near and mid-infrared and the analysis of spectral data. The black hole is located within the galaxy CEERS 1019, which formed just over 570 million years after the Big Bang. This makes this black hole one of the earliest to have formed in the primordial universe.

Smaller size and other discoveries:

What makes this discovery even more intriguing is that the black hole within CEERS 1019 is relatively less massive compared to other black holes in the primordial universe. With a mass of approximately 9 million times that of our Sun, this black hole is similar in size to the one at the center of our own Milky Way galaxy. Additionally, researchers have also identified two smaller black holes in subsequent galaxies, dating back to 1 and 1.1 billion years after the Big Bang. These findings suggest that smaller black holes were widespread in the early stages of the universe, providing further insights into the evolution of black holes over cosmic time.

Implications for our understanding of the primordial universe:

The discoveries made by the James Webb Space Telescope offer unprecedented insights into the early stages of the universe and raise fascinating questions about the formation of black holes in such remote epochs. Until now, the presence of smaller-sized black holes in the early universe was purely theoretical, but now we have concrete evidence thanks to Webb’s observations. This opens up new avenues for our understanding of galaxy and black hole evolution throughout cosmic history. In the future, further studies and analysis of the data collected by the Webb telescope may provide even deeper insights into the origins and evolution of primordial black holes.

Graph representing the distance of black holes
Graph representing the distance of black holes. Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, Leah Hustak (STScI)

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The Remarkable Achievements of the James Webb Space Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope, since the release of its first images by NASA on July 12, 2022, has surpassed expectations in just one year. With high-quality scientific data, we have the opportunity to study the universe like never before. The images and data collected have provided us with unprecedented spatial and spectral resolution, deepening our understanding of the origins of galaxies, stars, and black holes. The scientific potential of the Webb is still vast, promising further extraordinary discoveries to unveil the secrets of the universe.

Graphic illustration of the James Webb Space Telescope
Graphic illustration of the James Webb Space Telescope. Credits: Adriana Manrique Gutierrez, NASA Animator

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Federico Airoldi

Federico Airoldi

Coder, developer and content creator. I am dedicated to spreading my love of space exploration and inspiring others to join me in the pursuit of new frontiers. Page owner of Airo_spaceflight.

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