Hidden Supermassive Black Holes: Unveiling the Secrets of Star-Birthing Galaxies

Supermassive black holes, known as quasars, can be hidden at the center of starburst galaxies behind walls of gas and dust, according to a study by researchers at Durham University. These quasars, powered by black holes, emit powerful light that can be obscured by the surrounding material. The study found that the quasars are more likely to be located in galaxies undergoing intense star formation, where the large amounts of gas and dust prevent the light from escaping. The findings suggest that there may be more quasars in the universe than previously believed, as many star-forming galaxies could be hiding active supermassive black holes at their centers.