Articles tagged with Active Galaxies
The Local Volume Mapper is capturing light to reveal the physics and chemistry of stellar birthplaces across vast expanses of the sky in unprecedented detail. Astronomers are analyzing specific spectral lines to map the precise temperature, density, chemical abundance, and motion of interstellar gas.
The study provides the largest, most uniform spectroscopic follow-up of X-ray sources ever assembled, capturing tens of thousands of X-ray-emitting galaxy clusters. It reveals that rapidly growing giant black holes were surprisingly common in the early Universe and more 'hidden' black holes have been uncovered.
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey has released its 20th data set, featuring over three million spectra of stars and galaxies, as well as 18 new value-added catalogs. This release marks a significant expansion of the survey's efforts, integrating full all-sky panoptic spectroscopy across both hemispheres.
A recent study from Florida International University suggests that galaxy mergers are neither necessary nor sufficient to stop galaxies from forming new stars. Instead, slower internal processes are believed to play a much larger role in quenching star formation.
A team of scientists has discovered 31 of the most ancient quasars ever found, including two that radiated light from a trillion suns when the universe was just 670 million years old. These findings provide crucial clues for understanding how supermassive black holes formed and offer insights into the early universe's structure.
A team of U of A astronomers helped an international research consortium discover the faintest and farthest quasars in the early universe, revealing new insights into supermassive black holes and their host galaxies. The discovery includes two record-breaking quasars with cosmic ages of about 670 million years.
The discovery reveals a surprisingly mature black hole at just 850 million years old, with an accretion disk resembling a flat pancake. This challenges the understanding of how supermassive black holes can grow and mature in a short amount of cosmic time.
Researchers have discovered the fastest wind near a supermassive black hole at ultraviolet wavelengths, driven by the quasar's surrounding matter disc. The wind's velocity is up to 30% the speed of light, making it unlike any hurricane on Earth.
A team at the University of Arizona discovered exceptionally fast and powerful galactic winds from quasars a billion years after the Big Bang. These winds could have caused galaxies to lose gas supplies, effectively shutting down star formation. The study suggests that quasars with extreme outflows were more common in the early univers...
A team of astronomers led by UMass Amherst has discovered a population of dusty, star-forming galaxies at the edge of the universe, formed 13 billion years ago. These galaxies are linked to ultrabright, young galaxies and massive quiescent galaxies, providing new insights into galaxy evolution.
A study using the James Webb Space Telescope found that supermassive black holes can suppress star growth not only in their host galaxy but also in neighboring galaxies within a million-light-year radius. This discovery reveals a larger impact of quasars on galaxy evolution, contradicting previous assumptions.
Scientists at CU Boulder have solved a pressing mystery about the universe's gravitational wave background by revealing the role of smaller galaxies in galaxy evolution. The new study suggests that when a smaller supermassive black hole merges with a larger one, the smaller black hole gains mass, producing larger gravitational waves.
Scientists have found that active galactic nuclei are two to six times more common in merging galaxies than non-merging counterparts. Galaxy mergers were most strongly associated with bright, dust-cloaked supermassive black holes linked to rapid growth.
Astronomers discover galaxy Virgil with dual personality – ordinary in visible light but harboring massive black hole. JWST observations reveal hidden nature of Virgil, challenging current models of black hole formation.
A team of astronomers from ICRAR has released new data showing that a galaxy's 'neighbourhood' plays a major role in its evolution over time. The study found that where a galaxy lives strongly influences its shape, size and growth rate in the distant Universe.
Astronomers discovered a greedy white dwarf star consuming its closest celestial companion at an unprecedented rate. The study found that the super-dense white dwarf is burning brightly due to the mass transfer between the two stars, potentially leading to a massive explosion visible from Earth.
A new study by Dartmouth astronomers has mapped 355 candidate satellite galaxies around dwarf galaxies, tripling the number previously surveyed. The researchers aim to understand how external conditions influence satellite formation and uncover insights into dark matter's nature.
New research predicts the existence of 80-100 additional satellite galaxies surrounding the Milky Way, orbiting at close distances. These 'orphan' galaxies are lost in most simulations but should have survived in the real Universe.
Astrophysicist Jeremy Darling is pursuing a new method to measure the universe's gravitational wave background by analyzing the motion of quasars. His research could unravel the physics of gravity and help scientists understand galaxy evolution and fundamental assumptions about gravity.
A distant galaxy's black hole has suddenly activated, producing rare and intense X-ray light bursts. The phenomenon, known as a quasiperiodic eruption, challenges existing models of black hole behavior and offers an unprecedented opportunity for astronomers to study the energetic events powering these cosmic monsters.
A new study proposes a third category of galaxies: red star-forming. These galaxies produce low-mass stars and may have played a significant role in the universe's history. The findings could change our understanding of galaxy evolution, star formation, and the life cycle of galaxies.
Researchers found that AGN radiation can have a paradoxically nurturing effect on life, especially when oxygen levels are present, allowing the planet's protective ozone layer to grow and shield it from radiation. This process can help ensure life's success, but its effects depend on how close the planet is to the source of radiation.
Researchers use Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer to observe active galactic nucleus, revealing dusty outflowing wind and radio jet feedback. The study provides new insights into AGN's interaction with host galaxies.
Astronomers have observed a phenomenon where a supermassive black hole forms plasma jets in real-time, marking the first-ever observation of this process. The discovery provides new insights into how black holes interact with their host galaxies and could help scientists understand the evolution of the universe.
Radio data reveals jets of ionized gas extending from either side of the black hole, with a total size of about half a light-year. The observation suggests that the launch of a black hole jet has never been observed before in real time, providing critical clues to why only a fraction of monster black holes produce powerful plasma jets.
Astronomers have discovered a rare spiral-shaped galaxy hosting a young jet, challenging the conventional wisdom on quasar formation. The galaxy, J0742+2704, features a supermassive black hole and brilliant hot disks of swirling gas that can blast off jets of material.
Scientists have discovered birth sites of gigantic elliptical galaxies, suggesting large gas flows and galaxy collisions created these ancient systems. The research, published in Nature, may finally unravel the enigma of how these giant galaxies formed.
A recent study reveals that fast radio bursts are more commonly associated with massive and metal-rich star-forming galaxies. This suggests that magnetars, the thought-to-be-triggers of FRBs, likely form in environments conducive to stellar mergers. The discovery was made using Caltech's Deep Synoptic Array-110 project.
The team observed an 'inside-out' growing galaxy in the early universe using the James Webb Space Telescope. This type of growth had been predicted by theoretical models but was never directly observed until now. The research found that the star formation activity is rising towards the outskirts, indicating a rapid growth rate.
The XRISM space mission is providing unprecedented insights into the galactic neighborhoods of supermassive black holes. The mission's data confirms decades-old speculation about these regions, revealing complex structures and unexpected clues about their environment.
Astronomers have discovered the largest pair of black hole jets yet, stretching 23 million light-years and equivalent to 140 Milky Way galaxies. This finding suggests that these massive jet systems may have played a significant role in shaping galaxies in the early universe.
Astronomers have detected two closely spaced supermassive black holes in the nearby universe using NASA's Hubble and Chandra telescopes. The black holes are fueled by infalling gas and dust, causing them to shine brightly as active galactic nuclei (AGN).
A deep-learning algorithm developed by astronomer David Harvey can untangle the complex signals of self-interacting dark matter and AGN feedback in galaxy cluster images. The Inception model achieved an accuracy of 80% under ideal conditions, showcasing its potential for analyzing vast amounts of space data.
Astronomers used NASA's James Webb Space Telescope to observe a galaxy cluster that acts as a magnifying glass, allowing them to see enhanced detail in distant galaxies. The red galaxy revealed by Webb is being magnified and distorted in an unusual way, providing clues about the formation of galaxies billions of light-years ago.
A new study published in the Astrophysical Journal has found that galaxies in denser environments are up to 25% larger than isolated galaxies. Researchers used a machine learning tool to analyze millions of galaxies and found a clear trend: galaxies with more neighbors are also on average larger.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology discovered a powerful rotating magnetic wind in galaxy ESO320-G030, suggesting its role in supermassive black hole growth. The study reveals similarities between this process and the birth of stars.
A team of researchers used a hybrid approach to track the growth of supermassive black holes, finding that accretion dominated growth in most cases. Mergers made notable contributions, especially for massive black holes over the past 5 billion years.
Researchers analyzed over 3,000 CSO candidates and found that these galaxies host supermassive black holes with compact jets that extend up to 1,500 light-years. The team concludes that CSOs have relatively short lifetimes of 5,000 years or less, fueled by tidal disruption events (TDEs) triggered by massive star consumption.
A study using machine learning classifies galaxy mergers and finds that mergers are not strongly associated with black-hole growth. Cold gas at the center of the host galaxy is necessary for rapid growth, suggesting a more complex relationship between galaxy evolution and supermassive black holes.
The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered a 2-million-solar-mass supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy GN-z11, which is one of the youngest and most distant galaxies ever observed. The team also found evidence of ionized chemical elements and a powerful wind expelled by the galaxy.
A team of MIT scientists has detected 18 new tidal disruption events (TDEs) using infrared observations, more than doubling the catalog of known TDEs. The discoveries reveal that these star-shredding black holes occur in a range of galaxies across the entire sky, not just dusty galaxies.
Researchers at UTSA's Department of Physics and Astronomy have used deconvolution algorithms to enhance images of galaxy NGC 5728 obtained by the James Webb Space Telescope. The study reveals a faint extended feature that could be part of an outflow from a supermassive black hole interacting with the host galaxy.
Researchers have discovered a novel galactic 'fossil' in the spiral galaxy NGC 4945, which sheds light on the evolution of galaxies. The X-rays outline giant clouds of cold gas that were blasted through the galaxy after its central supermassive black hole erupted 5 million years ago.
Researchers use MUSE to study ancient galaxies and find that galactic winds, created by massive stars, limit their growth. The team's findings reveal a universal process affecting most galaxies.
The Telescope Array has detected the second-highest energy cosmic ray ever observed, with an energy equivalent to dropping a brick on your toe from waist height. The Amaterasu particle deepens the mystery of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays, which may follow particle physics unknown to science.
Astronomers have observed the active galactic nucleus of the Circinus Galaxy, resolving a long-standing mystery about how gas feeds supermassive black holes. The team found that most gas is expelled as atomic or molecular outflows and recycled into an accretion flow, rather than directly contributing to black hole growth.
Researchers reveal a partially covering 'Compton-thick' absorption component in the eclipsing cloud of NGC 6814. The team found that the occultation absorber was clumpy and consisted of many small clouds, similar to debris stripped from a comet.
A team of researchers used ALMA to observe the central region of Messier 77, a galaxy hosting an active supermassive black hole. The study found that molecules commonly found in galaxies break down along the path of bipolar jets emanating near the black hole, while distinctive molecules increase in concentration.
Researchers using ALMA detected a fully formed magnetic field in a distant galaxy, similar to nearby galaxies, which provides new insights into the formation of galactic-scale magnetic fields. The discovery suggests that intense star formation in the early Universe could have played a role in accelerating the development of these fields.
Researchers detected a marvellous, composite eclipsing absorber responsible for a highly distinct X-ray eclipse event in NGC 6814. The team found the absorber to be clumpy and multi-phase, with small clouds ablated from the main cloud cluster.
Researchers found five Green Pea galaxies with double-peaked narrow lines, suggesting dual active galactic nuclei (AGN) mergers. The study provides insights into the co-evolution of high-mass galaxies and supermassive black holes.
Scientists discover threadlike arrangement of galaxies, anchored by a quasar, which marks the first time such a structure has been observed at 6% of its current age. The findings provide clues about the fundamental architecture of the universe and the formation of supermassive black holes.
An international research team explores ultra-fast gas emissions from active galactic nuclei, which significantly change galaxy ecosystems. The study confirms the existence of these powerful emissions and their role in regulating star formation.
A new study reveals that intergalactic gas can activate and feed supermassive black holes at the heart of galaxies. The researchers found a direct connection between gas outside galaxies and active supermassive black holes, with misaligned gas playing a significant role in their growth.
A new study reveals that active galactic nuclei are even more powerful than previously believed, with their far ultraviolet light dimmed by a large factor due to dust. This discovery implies that these objects are putting out an order of magnitude more energy than thought in the ultraviolet range.
Scientists using ALMA discovered a rare instance of two supermassive black holes growing simultaneously near the center of a newly coalescing galaxy. This finding suggests that binary black hole pairs may be more common than previously thought, with potential implications for future gravitational wave detections.
The ERC Red Cardinal project aims to shed light on the mysterious phase of star formation extinction in massive galaxies. The team, led by Sirio Belli, will use James Webb Space Telescope observations to test a hypothesis predicting two distinct modes of stellar extinction.
Astronomers have discovered a rare system featuring a black hole spewing a jet at a neighboring galaxy, providing insights into radio jet feedback and its impact on star formation. The unique nature of RAD12 has allowed researchers to study the interaction between the black hole's jet and the companion galaxy.
The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can survive in the vicinity of supermassive black holes at the centers of active galaxies. This challenges previous studies that predicted their destruction, and reveals new insights into galaxy evolution.
Asteroseismology helps determine mass, age, and features of stars in globular clusters, such as M4. A sample of 37 stars was analyzed, with most being red giants and others horizontal branch stars. The study provides an asteroseismic characterization of the stellar populations, shedding light on their origins and chemical characteristics.