The universe's supermassive black holes have been growing in a previously unknown way, scientists say. Researchers propose that these behemoths of gravity are surrounded by high-density gas cocoons during their early stages of development.
This cocoon phase is believed to be the reason why young supermassive black holes appear much more massive than expected when observing them through infrared light. The cosmic shield created by this dense material absorbs X-rays and radio waves, making these objects difficult to detect using standard telescopes like Chandra.
According to a new study published in Nature, scientists observed 12 Little Red Dots - galaxies that are believed to host supermassive black holes of unprecedented mass. By applying a scattering model to the data from these galaxies, researchers found that the intrinsic velocity of the gas surrounding these young black holes is much lower than previously thought.
The cocoon phase model suggests that these young black holes grow rapidly, surrounded by a dense shell of gas and dust. This cosmic shield blocks high-energy radiation, explaining why these objects are so bright in infrared light but virtually invisible to X-ray telescopes.
While the study provides an elegant solution to the mass problem, questions remain about how long this cocoon phase lasts and how common it is in the early universe. Further analysis of new high-resolution data from the James Webb Space Telescope may shed more light on these mysteries.
The implications of this discovery are significant, as it challenges our current understanding of galaxy formation and the role of supermassive black holes in their development.
This cocoon phase is believed to be the reason why young supermassive black holes appear much more massive than expected when observing them through infrared light. The cosmic shield created by this dense material absorbs X-rays and radio waves, making these objects difficult to detect using standard telescopes like Chandra.
According to a new study published in Nature, scientists observed 12 Little Red Dots - galaxies that are believed to host supermassive black holes of unprecedented mass. By applying a scattering model to the data from these galaxies, researchers found that the intrinsic velocity of the gas surrounding these young black holes is much lower than previously thought.
The cocoon phase model suggests that these young black holes grow rapidly, surrounded by a dense shell of gas and dust. This cosmic shield blocks high-energy radiation, explaining why these objects are so bright in infrared light but virtually invisible to X-ray telescopes.
While the study provides an elegant solution to the mass problem, questions remain about how long this cocoon phase lasts and how common it is in the early universe. Further analysis of new high-resolution data from the James Webb Space Telescope may shed more light on these mysteries.
The implications of this discovery are significant, as it challenges our current understanding of galaxy formation and the role of supermassive black holes in their development.
Those galaxies with supermassive black holes are like cosmic puzzles waiting to be solved. The idea that young black holes have a gas cocoon surrounding them is so cool! It's like they're wearing a protective shield made of gas and dust. And now we know why those Little Red Dots are shining so bright in infrared light, but are invisible to other telescopes. I'm really intrigued by the study on the James Webb Space Telescope - can't wait for more info! 
I was reading through the study and my eyes kept scanning the layout of the diagrams - it's like they're a work of art or something. 
But seriously, this changes everything we thought we knew about galaxies and black holes. I love how they used data from the James Webb Space Telescope to back up their claims - it's like a puzzle piece that finally fits into place 
. Now, can't wait for more research on this topic... maybe someone will create a visual masterpiece out of it 
. The idea of these behemoths being surrounded by high-density gas cocoons during their early stages of development is like, totally mind-blowing 
! I mean, can you imagine having this kind of cosmic shield protecting you from all that radiation? It's like living in a bubble 
.
. But at the same time, I have some questions lingering in my mind... like, how long does this cocoon phase last and how common is it in the early universe? 
. I'm excited to see what new data from the James Webb Space Telescope will reveal about this mysterious phenomenon 
!
what's next? are we gonna find out the universe is full of invisible stuff too? 
it explains why we can't see them with our standard telescopes and why they appear way more massive than expected in infrared light. I mean, I've been following this topic for ages and this is the most concrete evidence we've ever had. now we just need to figure out how long these cocoons last and how common they are... the implications for galaxy formation and supermassive black holes are insane 
.
. now we're talking galaxy formation, supermassive black hole growth... it's all getting pretty deep 
. I was in physics class last week and we were talking about dark matter and how it affects galaxy formation... this study just blows that out of the water (literally)!
And those Little Red Dots, are they even really where we think they are? Maybe they're being manipulated by some unseen force... 
They could be more than just random events... This whole thing is way too convenient, if you ask me. 
. I can only imagine how mind-expanding it must be for scientists to discover this and figure out the implications. Like, what does it mean for our understanding of the universe? Is it possible that these black holes are influencing galaxy formation in ways we never thought before?
. its crazy they found 12 galaxies w/ supermassive black holes that are way more massive than expected too. now they wanna know how long this cocoon phase lasts & how common it is... thats the million dollar question 
. And its crazy how scientists can use this to explain why these blackholes are so bright in infrared light but not visible in other spectrums. But at the same time, I'm also kinda curious about how long this cocoon phase lasts and how common it is in the early universe 
. THIS COCOON PHASE MAKES SENSE FOR WHY THESE BLACK HOLES ARE SO BRIGHT IN IRREDUCENT LIGHT, BUT COMPLETELY HIDDEN FROM OUR TELESCOPES 
its like a cosmic shield that absorbes x-rays and radio waves, makin it hard 2 detect using standard telescopes 
i mean think about it, young supermassive black holes r way more massive than expected cuz of these cocoons, but we dont no how long they last or how common it is in the early universe 
. it's like they're wearing a cloak of invisibility! 
and now we know how they grow so fast too 