The astronomers computed the masses of black holes observed in the galaxy clusters by inspecting their X-ray and radio wave emissions. The outcomes indicated that the masses of ultramassive black holes are approximately 10 times more than those originally computed by using a distinctive technique which presumes that black holes expand along with their galaxies. In addition, nearly half of the black holes in the sample are predicted to be nearly ten billion times more massive than our Sun. This places them in a category of leviathans termed as “ultramassive black holes” by astronomers.
“We have discovered black holes that are far larger and way more massive than anticipated,” indicated Mezcua. “Are they so big because they had a head start or because certain ideal conditions allowed them to grow more rapidly over billions of years? For the moment, there is no way for us to know.”
“We do know that black holes are extraordinary phenomena,” stated Hlavacek-Larrondo, “so it’s no surprise that the most extreme specimens defy the rules that we have established up until now.”
The Destructive Force of Ultramassive Black Holes
Galaxies are not completely secure from such celestial behemoths lurking at their centers. The mass of a black hole governs its power. It draws in all matter, such as stars, surrounding it and then throws back some of them in the form of energized jets that are adequately powerful to destroy a major portion of its host galaxy. “It would be like a mini, galaxy-sized Big Bang,” stated Hlavacek-Larrondo.
But there’s no need to worry about our own galaxy. Sagittarius A, the Milky Way’s supermassive black hole, is a bit boring. It’s not very active, much like a dormant volcano. It sucks up little matter and probably wouldn’t be able to produce destructive high-energy jets.
Professor Hlavacek-Larrondo
Why Study Black Holes Billions of Light Years Away?
The focus of Professor Hlavacek-Larrondo’s study is on black holes located in distant galaxy clusters to demonstrate that objects such as these have been remarkably affecting the surrounding galaxies and the whole universe for billions of years.
They are the most powerful objects in the universe, and they are anything but quiet. Galaxies are the building blocks of our universe, and to understand their formation and evolution, we must first understand these black holes.
Professor Hlavacek-Larrondo