Some black holes at the centers of galaxies have a buddy − but detecting these binary pairs isn’t easy

Most objects in the universe have been around for way longer than modern astronomy – digging into historical records can help scientists shed light on a cosmic mystery.

Jonathan Zrake, Assistant Professor of Physics, Clemson University • conversation
Dec. 5, 2024 • ~9 min

There were more black holes in the early universe than we thought – new research

New research can help us understand how supermassive black holes formed – and why many of them appear to be more massive than expected.

Matthew J. Hayes, Associate Professor of Astrophysics, Stockholm University • conversation
Oct. 2, 2024 • ~7 min

Supermassive black holes have masses of more than a million suns – but their growth has slowed as the universe has aged

X-rays emitted around black holes can tell astrophysicists about how fast they’re growing.

W. Niel Brandt, Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Penn State • conversation
July 12, 2024 • ~6 min

I’m an astrophysicist mapping the universe with data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory − clear, sharp photos help me study energetic black holes

2024 marks 25 years since NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory started detecting X-rays from energetic astronomical events.

Giuseppina Fabbiano, Senior Astrophysicist, Smithsonian Institution • conversation
May 29, 2024 • ~9 min

A black hole discovery could force us to rethink how galaxies came to be

The discovery raises big questions about widely accepted models of galaxy formation.

Robin Smith, Senior Lecturer in Physics, Sheffield Hallam University • conversation
Feb. 27, 2024 • ~7 min

Why are some black holes bigger than others? An astronomer explains how these celestial vacuums grow

Pictures of black holes have a white outline around them when photographed, due to one of black holes’ unique and key features.

Jaclyn Champagne, JASPER Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Arizona • conversation
Dec. 18, 2023 • ~6 min

Powerful black holes might grow up in bustling galactic neighborhoods

An astronomer and ‘black hole historian’ explains how the parts of the universe black holes grow in might influence how quickly they become bright, supermassive objects.

Jaclyn Champagne, JASPER Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Arizona • conversation
Sept. 11, 2023 • ~8 min

Black holes may be the source of mysterious dark energy that makes up most of the universe

Astronomers have found that mysterious dark energy may originate in black holes.

Dave Clements, Reader in Astrophysics, Imperial College London • conversation
Feb. 15, 2023 • ~8 min

Say hello to Sagittarius A*, the black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy

Sagittarius A* is a massive black hole at the center of the Milky Way. Now that astronomers have imaged it, they can begin to learn more about black holes within other galaxies across the universe.

Chris Impey, University Distinguished Professor of Astronomy, University of Arizona • conversation
May 12, 2022 • ~8 min

How we captured first image of the supermassive black hole at centre of the Milky Way

We finally know that Sagittarius A* really exists.

Derek Ward-Thompson, Professor of Astrophysics, University of Central Lancashire • conversation
May 12, 2022 • ~6 min

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