The Webb telescope captured a galaxy shaped like ∞ that could reveal how giant black holes are born
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Astronomershave discovered a top-tier collision with an unusual shape. The structure was nicknamed "Infinity Galaxy" because its silhouette resembles the infinity symbol.
However, the most striking thing is not its appearance. At the center, there could be a supermassive black hole in the process of forming, something that has never been seen so directly.
Astrónomos descubrieron una colisión galáctica con una forma inusual
What is the "Infinity Galaxy" and why is it so special?
It is the merger of two very distant galaxies, captured by the James Webb telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory.
The light emitted by this structure comes from about 13.3 billion years ago, when the universe was just 470 million years old.
Unique shape and enigmatic content
From Earth, the silhouette looks like a sideways eight. At the center of that figure, scientists detected a region of compressed gas that could be hiding a supermassive object.
Desde la Tierra, la silueta parece un ocho acostado
In addition, two consolidated black holes are already visible, one at the center of each galaxy that forms the structure.
Is it possible that we are witnessing the birth of a colossal black hole?
The main hypothesis suggests that this gas cluster is the result of a direct collapse, without passing through the star stage.
La hipótesis principal sugiere que ese cúmulo de gas es resultado de un colapso directo
This type of formation would explain how giant black holes were caused so early in the history of the cosmos.
The dilemma of the first black holes
Scientists can't understand how such large black holes existed so soon after the Big Bang.
There would not have been enough time for stars to be born, die, and merge as previously believed.
El dilema de los primeros agujeros negros
What alternatives are being considered?
The detected object could be a black hole ejected from another galaxy.
It is also being evaluated whether there are actually three galaxies colliding and one was eclipsed.
Or simply, the compressed gas has not yet caused a black hole.
However, scientists emphasize that the data obtained support the idea of a newly formed black hole.
