Astronomers using the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope have found strong clues that a supermassive black hole may exist at the center of the nearby spiral galaxy Messier 83 (M83). Thanks to Webb’s powerful Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), they detected a special type of gas that could mean an active galactic nucleus (AGN) is hiding in the galaxy’s core. This AGN would be a growing black hole feeding on matter.
A Mysterious Galaxy Finally Reveals Its Secret
M83, also called the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy, has puzzled scientists for years. Most large spiral galaxies have AGNs, but no one could confirm one in M83. Earlier observations suggested that if a black hole was there, it might be inactive or covered by thick space dust. Now, with Webb’s advanced tools, scientists are seeing what they couldn’t before.
High-Energy Gas Points to Something Powerful
“We were surprised to find neon gas that is highly ionised in the center of M83,” said Svea Hernandez, the lead author of the study. She works with AURA for the European Space Agency at the Space Telescope Science Institute in the USA. “This type of gas needs a huge amount of energy—more than stars can produce. That’s why we believe an AGN is responsible.”
Webb’s Mid-Infrared Vision Makes the Invisible Visible
Svea explained that before the Webb Telescope, scientists didn’t have instruments sensitive enough to detect such faint signals. Now, thanks to MIRI, they can look through dust clouds and find hidden features inside galaxies. These new details suggest that a powerful source of energy—like a black hole—could be present.
What Exactly Is Happening at the Heart of M83?
Using MIRI, astronomers spotted small areas of highly ionised gas near the galaxy’s center. The energy needed to create this gas is much higher than what normal stellar explosions (like supernovae) can release. This makes an AGN the most likely source, though scientists are also considering other possible causes, like extreme shock waves in the galaxy’s gas.
A Big Step in the Search for Black Holes
“Webb is changing how we understand galaxies,” said co-author Linda Smith from the Space Telescope Science Institute. “For years, astronomers couldn’t find a black hole in M83. Now, we finally have a clue that it might really be there.”
A New Chapter in Space Exploration
Linda added, “This is exactly why Webb is so exciting. It’s making discoveries that challenge what we thought we knew. Finding possible signs of a black hole in M83 changes the game and gives us new paths to explore.”
More Observations on the Way
To confirm their discovery, scientists plan to use other powerful telescopes like ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array) and the Very Large Telescope (VLT). These tools will help them study the gas more closely and find out if it’s truly caused by an AGN or something else.
Webb Is Just Getting Started
This finding shows how good the Webb Telescope is at revealing hidden parts of galaxies. As researchers continue using Webb, they’re getting closer to solving some of the Universe’s biggest mysteries—including the true nature of black holes.
