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Discovery of Record-Breaking Black Hole Challenges Cosmic Formation Theories

9/20/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Astronomers found the supermassive black hole RACS J0320-35, growing at over twice the theoretical limit, 920 million years after the Big Bang.
It has a mass of about 1 billion solar masses and emits more X-rays than any other early universe black hole.
Its growth rate surpasses the Eddington limit, questioning traditional black hole formation models.
RACS J0320-35 powers a quasar, outshining entire galaxies, making it crucial for studying early cosmic conditions.
Researchers estimate its growth at 300 to 3,000 solar masses per year, indicating it may have originated smaller.

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Story summary

Astronomers found the supermassive black hole RACS J0320-35, growing at over twice the theoretical limit, 920 million years after the Big Bang.
It has a mass of about 1 billion solar masses and emits more X-rays than any other early universe black hole.
Its growth rate surpasses the Eddington limit, questioning traditional black hole formation models.
RACS J0320-35 powers a quasar, outshining entire galaxies, making it crucial for studying early cosmic conditions.
Researchers estimate its growth at 300 to 3,000 solar masses per year, indicating it may have originated smaller.