Astronomers have used the James Webb Space Telescope to observe the central region of the Circinus Galaxy, a relatively close active galaxy located 13 million light-years away. The new data reveals that the supermassive black hole at the galaxy’s core is primarily consuming surrounding dust and gas, rather than ejecting them in outflows as previously believed. This finding challenges existing models of how active galactic nuclei function and highlights the power of Webb’s advanced imaging capabilities.
Unveiling the Hidden Core
The Circinus Galaxy, cataloged as ESO 97-G13, has long been of interest to researchers due to its dense, obscuring clouds of gas and dust. Ground-based telescopes struggled to penetrate this veil, making detailed observations of the central black hole difficult. Webb overcame this hurdle using a specialized high-contrast mode called the Aperture Masking Interferometer, which combines light through small apertures to create interference patterns.
This technique effectively transformed Webb into a miniature interferometer, producing a sharply focused image of the galaxy’s central engine. The analysis showed that most of the infrared emission originates from a donut-shaped torus of dust feeding the black hole, not from material flowing outward.
How Black Holes Grow
Supermassive black holes grow by pulling in surrounding matter. This material accumulates into a torus around the black hole, forming a rotating accretion disk. Friction within this disk heats it up, causing it to emit intense radiation, including infrared light. The new data from Webb confirms that the primary source of infrared glow near the Circinus Galaxy’s core is the innermost regions of this dusty torus, overturning earlier assumptions about outflow dominance.
“It is the first time a high-contrast mode of Webb has been used to look at an extragalactic source,” said Dr. Julien Girard of the Space Telescope Science Institute.
Implications for Future Research
This breakthrough paves the way for more detailed studies of black holes in other galaxies. By applying Webb’s high-contrast imaging to additional targets, astronomers can build a larger catalog of emission patterns, determining whether the Circinus Galaxy’s behavior is typical or an exception. A statistical sample of black holes is needed to understand the relationship between accretion disks, outflows, and the overall power output of these objects.
The results, published in Nature Communications, demonstrate the growing potential of interferometric methods in space astronomy. With further observations planned, Webb is pushing the boundaries of our ability to see into the most hidden corners of the Universe. The team hopes to expand the sample to dozens of black holes.
Ultimately, this research provides a clearer understanding of black hole mechanics and emphasizes the transformative power of new observational tools in astrophysics.
