Scientists have identified a novel astronomical object in the early universe that appears to be a hybrid of a black hole and a massive star. This discovery, made using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), may offer an explanation for enigmatic "little red dots" observed in deep-space imagery.
The object, designated MoM–BH*–1, was detected during a survey aimed at finding the earliest galaxies. Researchers were struck by its extreme brightness and distinct red color, features inconsistent with typical stars. Calculations revealed that it was emitting 100 billion times more energy than any known star can produce through nuclear fusion, the process that powers stars. This discrepancy led lead author Dr. Rohan Naidu of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Hawai'i to propose the existence of a new class of astronomical entity: a "black hole star."
Instead of nuclear fusion, the MoM–BH*–1 is theorized to be a vast cloud of gas powered by the intense forces of a central black hole. This black hole is estimated to be 100,000 times the mass of the sun. The extreme energy output from the black hole causes it to shine through its dense gas cocoon, giving it the appearance of a star.
While investigating the "Miracle or Mirage" survey, the researchers observed that the object's light was almost entirely red and abruptly disappeared below a certain wavelength, a phenomenon known as a Balmer Break. While a Balmer Break can be observed in stars, the one emanating from MoM–BH*–1 was significantly deeper than any previously seen, ruling out ordinary stars as the source. Furthermore, the object's light lacked signatures of metals typically found in stars, containing only hydrogen and helium.
Computer simulations conducted by the research team supported the black hole star hypothesis. The closest match to the observed data was a black hole with a mass of 100,000 solar masses surrounded by a dense hydrogen cocoon, spanning an area as large as the solar system. The energy generated by the actively feeding black hole is believed to be transmitted through radiation, winds, or shocks that interact with the surrounding gas.
Researchers suggest that MoM–BH*–1 could be one of many such objects. The JWST has detected hundreds of "little red dots" in the early universe that appear to have vanished by the present day. The team posits that these "little red dots" may all be black hole stars, with their redness caused by dense gas shrouds absorbing blue light. This theory could potentially resolve the peculiarities and puzzles surrounding these distant celestial objects.