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James Webb Discovers Young Black Holes in Early Universe

1/15/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The James Webb Space Telescope identified 'little red dots' as likely young black holes hidden in dense gas.
They were initially thought to be galaxies, with light consistent with black holes and lacking X-ray and radio emissions.
A new study recalculated their masses and found they are about 100 times less massive, implying these are growing black holes that illuminate their formation in the early universe.

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Story summary

The James Webb Space Telescope identified 'little red dots' as likely young black holes hidden in dense gas.
They were initially thought to be galaxies, with light consistent with black holes and lacking X-ray and radio emissions.
A new study recalculated their masses and found they are about 100 times less massive, implying these are growing black holes that illuminate their formation in the early universe.