Study Predicts Existence of Larger Masses of Supermassive Black Holes in the Universe
A recent study conducted by astrophysicist Joseph Simon from the University of Colorado Boulder suggests that supermassive black holes in the universe may have been much larger billions of years ago than previously thought. Simon used computer simulations to predict the mass of the largest supermassive black hole in the universe, known as the black hole mass function.
Supermassive black holes, such as the one at the center of our galaxy, Sagittarius A*, are believed to have grown with their respective galaxies. However, Simon’s calculations indicate that these black holes could have been billions of times the mass of the Sun, much larger than previously estimated.
The study, published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, sheds light on the forces that shaped these objects as they evolved from tiny black holes into the giants they are today. Simon’s findings also suggest that there were very massive objects in the universe from its early stages.
Simon’s research is part of the North American Nanohertz Gravitational Wave Observatory (NANOGrav) project, which aims to study the gravitational wave background. This phenomenon refers to the constant flow of gravitational waves generated by supermassive black holes. By understanding the mass of these black holes, scientists can better comprehend the gravitational waves they produce.
However, measuring the mass of distant supermassive black holes is challenging. Simon’s research took a different approach by collecting information about hundreds of thousands of galaxies and using computer models to simulate the background gravitational waves created by these galaxies. The findings reveal a wide variety of supermassive black hole masses dating back nearly 4 billion years.
The study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that black holes may grow faster than previously believed. The NANOGrav team has also observed similar signals from giant black holes in the universe billions of years ago.
Understanding the mass of black holes is crucial for various fundamental questions in astrophysics, including the background of gravitational waves, the growth of galaxies, and the expansion of the universe. Simon’s research provides valuable insights into these areas and paves the way for further exploration of black holes throughout cosmic history.
The study, titled “Exploration Proxies of the Mass Function of Supermassive Black Holes: Its Implications for Pulsar Time Arrays,” was published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.
Further information:
Joseph Simon, Exploration Proxies of the Mass Function of Supermassive Black Holes: Its Implications for Pulsar Time Arrays, Journal of Astrophysics Letters (2023). DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/acd18e
phoenix a
The study conducted by astrophysicist Joseph Simon from the University of Colorado Boulder suggests that supermassive black holes in the universe may have been much larger billions of years ago than previously thought. Simon utilized computer simulations to predict the mass of the largest supermassive black hole in the universe, which is known as the black hole mass function.
According to Simon’s calculations, supermassive black holes, including the one situated at the center of our galaxy, Sagittarius A*, could have had masses billions of times greater than that of the Sun. This finding challenges previous estimates and provides new insights into the growth and formation of these astronomical objects.
The study, which is published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, contributes to our understanding of the forces and mechanisms that influenced the evolution of supermassive black holes. By employing computer simulations, Simon examined the processes responsible for the transformation of tiny black holes into the massive entities they are today.
Overall, this research highlights the potential existence of larger supermassive black holes in the universe’s history and expands our knowledge of these enigmatic astronomical phenomena.
