Black Holes to Quasars, James Webb Space Telescope Sheds Light on Cosmic Evolution
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has potentially unlocked a crucial piece of the cosmic puzzle, shedding light on one of the universe's most enigmatic phenomena - black holes. Contrary to the spotlight typically reserved for the colossal supermassive black holes, a recent discovery suggests that their smaller counterparts, dubbed "baby quasars," might hold the key to unraveling long standing mysteries.
Traditionally, supermassive black holes, with masses billions of times those of the sun, steal the cosmic limelight. With the help of the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists have discovered a population of not-so-gigantic, quasars. These "baby quasars,"Falling within the 10 to 100 million solar mass range, challenge conventional understanding and offer a glimpse into the intermediary stages of black hole evolution, reported Space.com.
The study, led by Jorryt Matthee from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria, scrutinizes the curious journey of these "problematic quasars." These celestial entities emerge from the cataclysmic demise of massive stars, culminating in explosive supernova deaths that birth black holes. The conundrum arises when these nascent black holes transition into quasars at an apparently accelerated pace, defying the laws of astrophysics.
Matthee's team, employing the JWST's discerning gaze, identified these "baby quasars" as subtle red dots amidst the cosmic tapestry. This discovery marks a pivotal step in untangling the intricate web of black hole formation. The reddish hue that was observed, indicative of dusty surroundings, hints at the obscured presence of actively feeding black holes, corroborating their quasar status.
The JWST's inadvertent revelation of these "baby quasars" underscores the vast expanse of uncharted cosmic territory awaiting exploration. As researchers delve deeper into this cosmic microcosm, armed with cutting-edge technologies and insatiable curiosity, they inch closer to unraveling the universe's enduring
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