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Webb Space Telescope Discovers Distant Black Hole, Unveiling Potential for More

by Andrew Wright
5 comments
Black hole

A groundbreaking discovery has been made by astronomers utilizing the Webb Space Telescope, as they have identified the most distant black hole to date. However, this record-setting finding may not hold for long.

Located at the heart of a galaxy that emerged a mere 570 million years after the Big Bang, this black hole brings us 100 million years closer to the origins of the cosmos than its predecessor identified by a Chinese team in 2021, employing a telescope in Chile.

Although Webb has already detected other black holes that appear to have formed even nearer to the Big Bang roughly 14 billion years ago, these remarkable findings are still undergoing scrutiny. Steven Finkelstein, an astronomer from the University of Texas at Austin and one of the lead researchers, mentioned that their discovery has been accepted for publication by the Astrophysical Journal Letters.

The Texas-led team highlights the need for additional observations due to the weak signals emitted by this particular black hole.

Beyond this individual find, there exist countless dormant black holes, some even more remote than the one discovered. Unfortunately, without luminous gas emissions, these invisible entities remain undetectable, as Finkelstein explains.

Discovered in February, this specific black hole is currently active but relatively modest in size compared to others, equivalent to approximately 9 million times the mass of our sun. It is comparable in magnitude to the black hole within our own Milky Way galaxy, as noted by the research team.

Furthermore, utilizing the capabilities of the Webb telescope, the team also identified two smaller black holes from the early universe, dating back approximately 1 billion years after the Big Bang. These findings suggest that downsized versions of black holes may have been more prevalent during the formation of the cosmos than previously believed.

Dale Kocevski, from Colby College and a member of the team, emphasized the likelihood of numerous undiscovered “little monsters” waiting to be unveiled.

Launched in late 2021, Webb stands as the largest and most powerful telescope ever deployed in space. NASA released its initial images and scientific results with great excitement a year ago this week.


The Big Big News Health and Science Department is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP retains full responsibility for all content.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Black hole

What is the significance of the Webb Space Telescope’s discovery of a distant black hole?

The discovery of a distant black hole using the Webb Space Telescope is significant because it pushes the boundaries of our understanding of the early universe. It brings us closer to the origins of the cosmos and provides valuable insights into the formation and evolution of galaxies.

How does the newly discovered black hole compare to previous findings?

The newly discovered black hole is the most distant one identified so far, dating back to a mere 570 million years after the Big Bang. It surpasses the previous record held by a black hole detected by a Chinese team using a telescope in Chile. This finding allows us to delve deeper into the early stages of the universe.

What challenges did the Texas-led team face in observing this black hole?

Due to the weak signals emitted by this particular black hole, the Texas-led team encountered challenges in studying it. Additional observations are necessary to gather more data and enhance our understanding of this cosmic phenomenon.

Are there more black holes yet to be discovered?

Yes, there are likely numerous undiscovered black holes, including ones that are even more distant than the newly found black hole. However, the absence of glowing gas makes them invisible to current observation methods. Future advancements in technology and research may uncover these hidden cosmic entities.

How does the Webb Space Telescope contribute to black hole research?

The Webb Space Telescope, with its remarkable capabilities, has played a crucial role in black hole research. It has already spotted multiple black holes, including ones that are closer to the Big Bang. Its powerful instruments allow scientists to study these celestial objects and gain insights into the early universe and the prevalence of black holes during cosmic evolution.

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5 comments

AstroFan33 July 11, 2023 - 7:02 am

wow, cool! dat new teleskop found a black hole? amazin! now we know more bout da beginnin of cosmos. gotta love space!

Reply
GalaxyWatcher July 11, 2023 - 8:26 am

shoutout to Webb Space Telescope and its team! dey keep pushin da boundaries of knowledge. can’t wait to see what else dey discover in our vast universe. keep lookin up!

Reply
Stargazer2000 July 11, 2023 - 8:55 am

woah, a black hole! dis one’s really far away, almost 570 mil years after da big bang. imagine da stuff it’s seen! can’t wait for more discoveries!

Reply
SpaceExplorerX July 11, 2023 - 2:02 pm

yoo, did u hear? dem scientists found an invisible black hole. crazy, rite? no glowing gas, so dey can’t see it. wonder how many more monsters r hidin out there!

Reply
CosmicDreamer July 11, 2023 - 4:19 pm

the Webb telescope is da bomb! it’s findin all these amazin black holes from billions of years ago. now we know dey were more common than we thought. mind-blowin stuff!

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