James Webb Telescope uncovers clues of hidden supermassive black hole in M83 galaxy – The Times of India
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have uncovered the strongest evidence yet that a long-sought supermassive black hole may lie at the centre of the nearby spiral galaxy Messier 83 (M83), also known as the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy.
The discovery was made using Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), which detected highly ionised neon gas, a signature that suggests the presence of an active galactic nucleus (AGN).
M83 has puzzled astronomers for decades. While many massive spiral galaxies like it are known to host AGNs, previous attempts to detect one in M83 had failed, likely due to obscuring dust or a dormant black hole. Now, as per European Space Agency, Webb’s mid-infrared sensitivity has revealed previously unseen clumps of ionised gas near the galaxy’s centre.
“Our discovery of highly ionised neon emission in the nucleus of M83 was unexpected,” said Svea Hernandez, lead author of the study from AURA for ESA at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore. “These signatures require large amounts of energy to be produced – more than what normal stars can generate. This strongly suggests the presence of an AGN that has been elusive until now”, Hernandez added.
The MIRI instrument, 50% of which was provided by ESA through the MIRI European Consortium, enabled scientists to peer through the thick dust veiling M83’s core.
According to ESA, the Webb mission is a collaboration between NASA, ESA and the Canadian Space Agency, with ESA also responsible for the launch service via Ariane 5.
“Before Webb, we simply did not have the tools to detect such faint and highly ionised gas signatures in M83’s nucleus,” Hernandez further said. “Now… we are finally able to explore these hidden depths of the galaxy”, he added.
Though the evidence strongly points to an AGN, alternative explanations are still being explored. These include extreme shock waves in the interstellar medium, possibly caused by galactic interactions. Astronomy.com notes that M83’s high star formation rate might stem from a past encounter with another galaxy, possibly the dwarf irregular NGC 5253, or even a second nucleus within M83 itself.
Co-author Linda Smith of the Space Telescope Science Institute remarked, “For years, astronomers have searched for a black hole in M83 without success. Now, we finally have a compelling clue that suggests one may be present.” She added, “Webb is revolutionising our understanding of galaxies… this discovery challenges past assumptions and opens new avenues for exploration.”
The team plans to follow up with further observations using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Very Large Telescope (VLT). These will help determine whether the newly detected emissions are indeed from a growing black hole or other high-energy phenomena.
As Webb continues to reveal the hidden structures of the cosmos, astronomers are optimistic that more such mysteries will soon come to light.
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have uncovered the strongest evidence yet that a long-sought supermassive black hole may lie at the centre of the nearby spiral galaxy Messier 83 (M83), also known as the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy.
The discovery was made using Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), which detected highly ionised neon gas, a signature that suggests the presence of an active galactic nucleus (AGN).
M83 has puzzled astronomers for decades. While many massive spiral galaxies like it are known to host AGNs, previous attempts to detect one in M83 had failed, likely due to obscuring dust or a dormant black hole. Now, as per European Space Agency, Webb’s mid-infrared sensitivity has revealed previously unseen clumps of ionised gas near the galaxy’s centre.
“Our discovery of highly ionised neon emission in the nucleus of M83 was unexpected,” said Svea Hernandez, lead author of the study from AURA for ESA at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore. “These signatures require large amounts of energy to be produced – more than what normal stars can generate. This strongly suggests the presence of an AGN that has been elusive until now”, Hernandez added.
The MIRI instrument, 50% of which was provided by ESA through the MIRI European Consortium, enabled scientists to peer through the thick dust veiling M83’s core.
According to ESA, the Webb mission is a collaboration between NASA, ESA and the Canadian Space Agency, with ESA also responsible for the launch service via Ariane 5.
“Before Webb, we simply did not have the tools to detect such faint and highly ionised gas signatures in M83’s nucleus,” Hernandez further said. “Now… we are finally able to explore these hidden depths of the galaxy”, he added.
Though the evidence strongly points to an AGN, alternative explanations are still being explored. These include extreme shock waves in the interstellar medium, possibly caused by galactic interactions. Astronomy.com notes that M83’s high star formation rate might stem from a past encounter with another galaxy, possibly the dwarf irregular NGC 5253, or even a second nucleus within M83 itself.
Co-author Linda Smith of the Space Telescope Science Institute remarked, “For years, astronomers have searched for a black hole in M83 without success. Now, we finally have a compelling clue that suggests one may be present.” She added, “Webb is revolutionising our understanding of galaxies… this discovery challenges past assumptions and opens new avenues for exploration.”
The team plans to follow up with further observations using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Very Large Telescope (VLT). These will help determine whether the newly detected emissions are indeed from a growing black hole or other high-energy phenomena.
As Webb continues to reveal the hidden structures of the cosmos, astronomers are optimistic that more such mysteries will soon come to light.
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