The Intricate Dance of Galactic Mergers and Black Hole Collisions

New research led by Newcastle University reveals that supermassive black holes obscured by dust are more likely to grow and release tremendous amounts of energy when they are inside galaxies that are expected to collide with a neighboring galaxy. The study used a statistical approach to determine the likelihood of galaxies being close together and on a collision course. By analyzing data from various telescopes, including the Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes, the researchers were able to detect the growing black holes using infrared light. This research provides insights into the growth of supermassive black holes during the cosmic noon, a crucial period in galactic evolution, and paves the way for future discoveries with the James Webb Space Telescope.