Indian Astronomers Spot Ancient Supermassive Black Hole 12.8 Billion Light-Years Away

Rapid Summary

• Astronomers analyzed radio and X-ray data of a supermassive black hole in teh radio quasar RACS J0320-35, located 12.8 billion light-years from Earth.
• The black hole’s mass is about a billion times that of the Sun, seen as it existed 920 million years post-Big Bang.
• It is indeed emitting more X-rays than any other known black hole from the universe’s first billion years.
• The system’s growth rate exceeds the Eddington limit-a theoretical maximum governed by radiation pressure and gravity balance-by an estimated 2.4 times.
• Researchers propose this rapid growth could occur if the black hole either began with a massive “seed” or grew via extreme conditions rarely observed in nature,such as accretion at speeds exceeding theoretical norms.
• Scientists steadfast its growth rate (300-3,000 Suns per year) through model comparisons using multi-spectrum data from NASA’s Chandra Observatory and other instruments.
• Some rare features include fast-moving jets of particles emitted near-light speeds, perhaps linked to its rapid growth phase.

Indian Opinion Analysis

This revelation holds important implications for understanding cosmic evolution. By studying RACS J0320-35 in unprecedented detail, scientists are gaining valuable insights into how some early supermassive black holes formed shortly after the Big Bang. This knowledge helps address long-standing astrophysical mysteries related to early universe formation dynamics and cosmic structure.

For India, which hosts premier observatories like Pune-based Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT), these findings reinforce collaborations on groundbreaking international projects in high-energy astrophysics. Observations like this underscore India’s ability to contribute meaningfully using state-of-the-art infrastructure while enhancing academic exchanges worldwide.

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