Supermassive Black Holes Might Be Responsible for the Death of a Galaxy, Says Study

Science

Products You May Like

Supermassive black holes might be influencing galactic star formation and triggering the death of galaxies, claims a new study. Recent research has shed light on how the birth and death of a galaxy, also known as the galactic cycle occurs. This study reveals that the mass of a supermassive black hole can significantly impact the amount of cold gas available in its host galaxy, a key component for star formation. The connection between these black holes and the suppression of star formation provides a clearer understanding of how galaxies transition from active star-birthing regions to “quiet” ones.

Black Holes and Galactic Death

Supermassive black holes, residing at the centre of large galaxies, are now believed to have a critical role in suppressing star formation. Scientists have observed that galaxies with more massive black holes tend to have reduced levels of cold gas. This gas is essential for forming new stars, and its depletion can lead to a galaxy’s transition to a more passive state, where star formation significantly slows or stops. Tao Wang and his team from Nanjing University have linked the mass of these black holes with the reduced gas content in their host galaxies, in a study published in the Nature journal.

Evidence and Theories

The research indicates that more massive black holes are associated with lower amounts of cold atomic hydrogen gas. This gas, which is crucial for star formation, appears to diminish as the black hole’s mass increases. This phenomenon aligns with observations of passive galaxies, which generally show reduced star-forming activity and gas reservoirs. The study suggests that supermassive black holes may either eject this gas from galaxies or prevent them from acquiring new gas from intergalactic space.

Future Research Directions

The findings challenge previous theories which had not definitively linked black hole mass with the reduction in star-forming gas. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms through which black holes affect their host galaxies. The team plans to investigate how dense molecular gas—another critical component for star formation—correlates with black hole mass. This future work, potentially using the ALMA observatory, aims to provide deeper insights into the impact of black holes on galactic evolution.

By examining the relationship between supermassive black holes and galaxy gas reservoirs, this study opens new avenues for understanding how galaxies evolve and cease to form new stars.
 

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.


Redmi Note 14 Pro May Reportedly Come With Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 SoC, Triple Cameras



Disney+ Hotstar Will Stream Select Premier League Football Matches in 4K Resolution

Related Stories

Products You May Like

Articles You May Like

The sneaky way Big Tech is acquiring AI unicorns without buying the companies
A journey inside Epic Systems’ mythical and sprawling campus, a world away from Wall Street
APT-C-60 Group Exploit WPS Office Flaw to Deploy SpyGlace Backdoor
Fortra Issues Patch for High-Risk FileCatalyst Workflow Security Vulnerability
Infinix Hot 50 5G India Launch Date Set for September 5; Design, Key Features Revealed Ahead of Debut

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *