Many more black holes could be ‘hiding’ in the universe than previously thought

Astronomers from the University of Southampton say that 35% of these galactic giants have gone undiscovered because they are obscured by thick clouds of gas and dust

There are more supermassive black holes than previously thought, say scientists. Picture: Alamy/PA

Many more supermassive black holes could be hiding in the universe than previously thought, according to a new study.

Astronomers from the University of Southampton say that 35% of these galactic giants – some which are billions of times heavier than the sun – have gone undiscovered because they are obscured by thick clouds of gas and dust.