A U.S.-led team of astronomers announced Wednesday the discovery of what they describe as a new type of astronomical object, termed a 'black hole star,' which appears visually similar to a star the size of our solar system but produces approximately 100 billion times more energy than any known star, according to a study published in the journal Nature.
Astronomers identify new class of object called 'black hole star' using James Webb Space Telescope
A U.S.-led team of astronomers announced Wednesday the discovery of what they describe as a new type of astronomical object, termed a 'black hole star,' which appears visually similar to a star the size of our solar system but produces approximately 100 billion times more energy than any known star, according to a study published in the journal Nature.
The object, designated MoM-BH*-1 and dated to 660 million years after the Big Bang, was identified using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The team concluded through modeling simulations that the object is most likely powered by a central black hole surrounded by a cocoon of gas that causes it to resemble a star in appearance.
Since JWST began operations in 2022, it has detected numerous extremely bright cosmic objects in the early universe referred to as 'little red dots,' which have not been fully explained by scientists. The team was initially investigating a separate question — why JWST repeatedly finds bright galaxies at very early stages of the universe's history, earlier than models suggested such large galaxies could have formed — when they encountered the object.
Lead study author Rohan Naidu of the University of Hawaii said in a statement that what these objects are 'has been one of the most debated topics of the JWST era.' Study co-author Robert Simcoe of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology noted that red-appearing objects are often assumed to be surrounded by dust, comparing the effect to how wildfire smoke from Canada made skies in Boston appear red. However, analysis of the data showed the object's redness is caused by hydrogen gas, not dust.
At certain wavelengths, the object's light was found to disappear entirely. Naidu stated that the object cannot be powered by nuclear fusion, the energy source at the core of stars, and described MoM-BH*-1 as 'essentially completely outshining its surrounding host galaxy, such that we're seeing pure black hole star light.' The number '1' in the object's designation reflects the team's belief that additional such objects exist, with Naidu stating that 'every little red dot is consistent with being a black hole star.'
Separately, a different team of astronomers announced Tuesday that JWST had detected oxygen-rich silicate dust and, for the first time, water in the surrounding envelope of star IRS 3, located approximately 0.55 light-years from Sagittarius A*, the Milky Way's central supermassive black hole. The findings were described as the most detailed mid-infrared view yet of that star. Researchers said the results indicate that evolved stars can continue producing dust and materials relevant to future star formation even in proximity to a supermassive black hole.
Lead author Florian Peißker of the University of Cologne said that galactic centers are among the most extreme environments and that the Webb observations show 'dust production remains remarkably resilient' under such conditions.
- The source does not include responses or assessments from independent astronomers not involved in either study.
- The source does not detail the full methodology used in the modeling simulations that led to the black hole star conclusion.
- The source does not specify the size or mass of the central black hole hypothesized within MoM-BH*-1.
- The source does not describe what further observations or confirmations are planned.
- The Straits Times — original — by The Straits Times
- CBS News
Read the original at The Straits Times