Active black holes reveal star-forming rings and shock waves in nine nearby galaxies
A new study of nine nearby galaxies reveals that supermassive black holes may actively contribute to star formation rather than hindering it. Researchers observed that active galactic nuclei create shock waves and energized gas regions that stimulate the birth of new stars.
Why it matters
This discovery challenges previous astrophysical models regarding the role of black holes in galaxy evolution and star formation.
by Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
edited by Lisa Lock , reviewed by Robert Egan
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Add as preferred source The galaxy NGC1386, shown in grayscale on the left and zoomed in to the central region on the right. The colors represent star formation in red, black-hole radiation in blue, and shocks in yellow. Credit: Peixin Zhu A new study of nine nearby galaxies has shown that actively growing supermassive black holes may contribute to, rather than prevent, star formation in their host galaxies.
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