James Webb Space Telescope uncovers secret supermassive black holes that escape traditional detection.

Woven through the universe are forces, often unseen, that dictate its grand design. For example, at the very heart of nearly every galaxy, we find a supermassive black hole. This isn't just some cosmic void — it's a powerful engine.

Even in its quieter moments, this engine profoundly shapes its surroundings. We call black holes with this kind of behavior Low-Luminosity Active Galactic Nuclei, or LLAGN. Picture galactic engines, just idling. They're running, doing their thing, but at a much slower pace. Still, they influence entire galaxies. The quest for scientists? Deciphering the unique infrared language these galactic nuclei speak.

A new paper provides comprehensive emission line measurements from James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) nuclear spectra for seven LLAGN as well as the active galaxy Centaurus A. This research acts like a cosmic linguist, analyzing subtle spectral signatures to give us unprecedented insight into how these powerful, yet often hidden, forces influence star birth, sculpt galactic gas and orchestrate the evolution of galaxies.

Source: www.space.com

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