An international team led by Stefanie Komossa from the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy has identified a nearby black hole, located about 1.8 billion light-years away in the galaxy SDSS J110546.07+145202.4, that exhibits characteristics reminiscent of the early universe. This discovery, published on July 5, 2026, sheds light on the processes involved in black hole growth and jet formation.
Unprecedented Brightness of SDSS J110546.07+145202.4
The galaxy SDSS J110546.07+145202.4 has been emitting radio waves with an intensity more than 20 times that of previous observations, remaining bright for over eight years. Unlike typical radio transients that last only days or weeks, this black hole’s emissions suggest a sustained activity.
According to co-author Phil Edwards from CSIRO, “We are dealing with the prototype of a new class of galaxies that undergo rapid changes in radio emission.” The black hole at the center is relatively low mass but is rapidly accumulating matter, leading to intense radiation and particle jets.
Understanding Black Hole Growth
Research indicates that the black hole has experienced increased matter accretion, triggering a high-energy jet of particles. The precise reasons behind this influx of matter and the duration of the emissions are still under investigation.
Lead author Komossa notes, “Luminous radio radiation from rapidly growing, lightweight black holes is rare to begin with. Their transition into a long-lasting, radio-bright state has never been observed before.” Follow-up studies using various telescopes, including the 100-meter radio telescope in Effelsberg and CSIRO's Australia Telescope Compact Array, have confirmed these unique properties.
Implications for Early Universe Research
SDSS J110546.07+145202.4 allows astronomers to study black hole evolution in detail, providing a “local laboratory for the early universe.” The proximity of this galaxy facilitates extensive observations that are not possible with more distant sources.
- Location: 1.8 billion light-years from Earth
- Radio emission intensity: 10 quadrillion times that of the sun
- Duration of brightness: Over 8 years
- Research published in: The Astrophysical Journal
Future high-resolution instruments, such as the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA), will enhance the ability to map the jet’s structure and track radio emissions over time. Komossa adds, “With sensitive facilities like the incoming SKA telescopes, we'll be able to identify similar radio transients in future sky surveys.”
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by Phys.org. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
