Early galaxies' masses may be underestimated due to black holes' overestimated influence on their brightness.

A study in The Astrophysical Journal led by University of Texas at Austin graduate student Katherine Chworowsky suggests that early galaxies in the universe may not be as massive as previously thought. Black holes in some of these galaxies emit light and heat, making them appear brighter and bigger, leading to an overestimation of their mass. By removing "little red dots" from analysis, the remaining early galaxies align with predictions of the standard model of cosmology. The study highlights the need for new ideas in understanding star formation in the early universe, and does not challenge the standard model of cosmology.

August 26, 2024
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