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Surprising Discovery: Black Hole Found Off-Center in Dwarf Galaxy

9/11/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Astronomers found an active galactic nucleus (AGN) in a dwarf galaxy 230 million light years away, 3,200 light years from its center.
This challenges the belief that black holes only grow in galactic centers, as the black hole is actively accreting material.
The study, led by Yuanqi Liu and published in Science Bulletin, emphasizes the role of offset black holes in galactic dynamics.
Research shows that 62% of AGN in dwarf galaxies may be offset from their centers.
The black hole has an estimated mass of 300,000 solar masses, suggesting it could be an intermediate black hole.

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Story summary

Astronomers found an active galactic nucleus (AGN) in a dwarf galaxy 230 million light years away, 3,200 light years from its center.
This challenges the belief that black holes only grow in galactic centers, as the black hole is actively accreting material.
The study, led by Yuanqi Liu and published in Science Bulletin, emphasizes the role of offset black holes in galactic dynamics.
Research shows that 62% of AGN in dwarf galaxies may be offset from their centers.
The black hole has an estimated mass of 300,000 solar masses, suggesting it could be an intermediate black hole.