Team discovers black holes
An astronomer has helped uncover a wealth of previously-hidden supermassive black holes along with some of the largest galaxies ever found.
Professor Andrew Blain, from the University of Leicester's physics and astronomy department, has been involved in Nasa's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (Wise) mission, which published findings this week.
Images from the Wise telescope have revealed millions of dusty black holes across the universe and about 1,000 even dustier objects – thought to be among the brightest galaxies ever found.
These powerful galaxies that burn brightly with infrared light are nicknamed hot DOGs (dust-obscured galaxies).
EXCLUDES DISCOUNTED OR SALE ITEMS
Terms: CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER
Contact: 0116 3660423
Valid until: Friday, May 23 2014
Wise scanned the whole sky twice using infrared light.
Like night-vision goggles probing the dark, the telescope captured millions of images of the sky.
Professor Blain said: "When the Wise mission produces new discoveries, it is not just that it is a good scientific result in itself – it's a reward for a lot of hard work, and it is always good to find something new and unrecognised.
"The results will help us find out how black holes affect their surroundings.
"They will give us a full measure of how black holes affect the galaxy formation process."
Comments
by New_Walk_View
Sunday, September 02 2012, 4:03PM
“Awesome.”