Supermassive Black Hole “Feasts” in Nearby Galaxy

Astronomers using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory have captured new observations of a supermassive black hole actively feeding at the center of galaxy NGC 1365, located about 60 million light-years from Earth.
The black hole, with a mass roughly two million times that of the Sun, is consuming surrounding gas, dust, and stellar material at an extraordinary rate. As this matter spirals inward, it heats up and emits powerful X-rays detectable by space telescopes.
A composite image combining Chandra’s X-ray data with infrared observations from the James Webb Space Telescope and optical data from Hubble shows the galaxy’s core glowing bright pink and purple, highlighting the high-energy activity around the black hole.
Supermassive black holes exist at the centre of most large galaxies, including the Milky Way. However, many remain relatively quiet. What makes the black hole in NGC 1365 unique is that it is actively feeding on surrounding materials, releasing vast amounts of energy that can be seen in various wavelengths.
NGC 1365 is a Seyfert galaxy, a type known for highly active centers. Scientists say studying its black hole helps reveal how these cosmic giants grow and influence galaxy evolution. Unlike many dormant black holes, this one is actively “feasting,” producing energy that shapes its galactic environment.