NASA's Chandra Telescope Reveals Black Holes' Role in Galaxy Formation

New findings from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory reveal how black holes significantly influence the structure of galaxies. Utilizing a novel imaging technique called 'Xarithmetic,' researchers have uncovered the dramatic effects of supermassive black holes in galaxy clusters, such as MS 0735+7421 and the Perseus Cluster.

The technique allowed scientists to classify various features in the hot gas of these clusters, showing that black hole feedback plays a stronger role in smaller galaxy groups compared to larger clusters, as they are more easily disrupted by outbursts from black holes (Space.com).

Moreover, a study analyzing over 1,600 galaxies indicates that only about 30% of dwarf galaxies contain supermassive black holes, contradicting the previous belief that almost all galaxies harbor such giants (NASA News, Phys.org).

This suggests that smaller galaxies may not have the same frequency of black holes as their larger counterparts, providing insights into the formation of these cosmic entities and their role in galaxy evolution (NASA News).