Supermassive black holes ‘may not be as massive as previously thought’

Astronomers have examined an infant galaxy 12 billion light years from Earth for the first time using a new powerful telescope

Researchers found that the supermassive black hole in the galaxy was 10 times smaller than expected, which they believe means that scientists have been overestimating the size of black holes in the universe. Picture: NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/J da Silva/M Zamani/University of Southampton/PA

Supermassive black holes are not as massive as previously thought, according to a new discovery by scientists.

Astronomers from University of Southampton working with colleagues across Europe have examined an infant galaxy 12 billion light years from Earth for the first time using a new powerful telescope.