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Supermassive black holes not so massive say scientists

Supermassive black holes not so massive say scientists

Summary

Scientists found that a supermassive black hole in a distant quasar is smaller than previously believed. Their study shows the black hole has a mass of about one billion suns, one-tenth of earlier estimates. Intense radiation from the black hole prevents it from growing as fast as previously thought.

Key Facts

  • Scientists studied a supermassive black hole in a distant quasar, a very bright galaxy core.
  • The black hole's mass was found to be around one billion suns.
  • The team from the University of Southampton used advanced equipment at the European Southern Observatory in Chile.
  • The study suggests radiation prevents the black hole from gaining more mass quickly.
  • The discovery challenges previous ideas about the growth of supermassive black holes.
  • The research involved experts from several countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Portugal, and Belgium.
  • Results were published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • The phenomenon observed was likened to a "cosmic hairdryer" blasting away gas with intense light.
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