Astronomers Uncover Hundreds of Hidden Black Holes — Billions More May Remain
Summary:
Astronomers have discovered hundreds of previously undetected supermassive black holes, many obscured by clouds of dust and gas. Using infrared light, they were able to detect these hidden giants, which could number in the billions or even trillions. This breakthrough may offer new insights into galaxy evolution. The study highlights that roughly 35% of supermassive black holes may be concealed, a significant increase from previous estimates.
Astronomers have uncovered hundreds of previously hidden supermassive black holes, with the possibility that billions, or even trillions, more remain undiscovered in the universe. These black holes, obscured by dust and gas clouds, emit infrared light that allows astronomers to detect them for the first time. This discovery could significantly enhance our understanding of how galaxies evolve.
Finding black holes is challenging due to their nature. As the darkest objects in the universe, their intense gravitational pull prevents any light from escaping. While some black holes can be observed when they consume nearby matter, glowing brightly as the material accelerates, many others lack such visible halos. As a result, astronomers must employ more inventive methods to locate them.
It is estimated that billions, possibly trillions, of supermassive black holes exist, each with a mass at least 100,000 times that of our sun. One likely resides at the center of every large galaxy. However, counting all of them is impossible, so astronomers rely on galaxy surveys to estimate their numbers.
The difficulty in identifying black holes lies in the fact that many are hidden behind gas and dust clouds or are observed at unfavorable angles. According to a recent study published in the *Astrophysical Journal* on December 30, 2024, approximately 35% of supermassive black holes may be concealed in this manner, a significant increase from the previous estimate of 15%. Some scientists believe the true figure could be closer to 50%.
To locate these hidden black holes, astronomers are using infrared light emitted by the surrounding clouds, which are often invisible in the standard visible spectrum. In this study, the team used data from two instruments: NASA’s Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS), which was the first to observe the infrared range in 1983, and NASA’s Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR), which detects high-energy X-rays from matter around black holes.
Disclaimer:
This discovery relies on observational data, and the number of hidden black holes is still an estimate. The actual figure could be higher or lower, requiring further research and verification.
source : live science