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A team of astronomers has made an important discovery by identifying an unusually large black hole within one of the universe’s most distant quasars. This black hole, at the heart of the quasar ULAS J1120+0641 in the constellation Leo, is 1.4 billion times the mass of the Sun. In a surprising twist, it is almost half the mass of all the stars in its galaxy combined—an unusually high ratio that far exceeds typical black hole-to-stellar mass ratios.

Breakthrough Observations with James Webb Telescope

Previous attempts to observe this quasar’s host galaxy using the Hubble Space Telescope were unsuccessful due to the quasar’s overwhelming brightness. However, scientists led by MIT astronomer Minghao Yue turned to the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which specialises in infrared observations, to capture detailed images of this distant quasar and its host galaxy.

Yue explains that the quasar’s immense brightness—100 times that of its host galaxy—makes it challenging to measure light from surrounding stars. Nevertheless, because the quasar’s light has traveled for approximately 13 billion years to reach Earth, the expansion of the universe has stretched this light into infrared wavelengths, enabling clearer observations with JWST.

An Unprecedented Ratio of Black Hole Mass to Galaxy Mass

The black hole’s mass is not unexpected; earlier estimates were in a similar range. What stands out is the mass ratio: while in typical galaxies, central black holes comprise only about 0.1 percent of the galaxy’s stellar mass, ULAS J1120+0641’s black hole accounts for an astonishing 54 percent. According to Yue, this finding suggests a unique evolutionary relationship between early black holes and their host galaxies, which differs significantly from the way black holes and galaxies evolve in the present-day universe.

Harvard University astronomer Avi Loeb, who was not involved in the study, posits that the black hole’s intense radiation could be suppressing star formation in its galaxy. For stars to form, interstellar gas must cool to collapse effectively; however, the quasar’s energy likely heats the gas, preventing it from forming new stars. Loeb suggests that when the quasar eventually “shuts off,” the galaxy’s gas will cool, leading to an increase in stellar mass and potentially lowering the black hole’s proportionate mass over time.

A Glimpse Into the Early Universe’s Mysteries

While the study does not fully explain why some black holes grew so quickly in the early universe, the observations reveal an interesting detail—a second galaxy is merging with the quasar’s host. This galactic collision likely feeds additional gas into the black hole, increasing its mass and fuelling the quasar’s luminosity, which makes it visible across such a vast cosmic distance.

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Earth’s Oceans Enter Danger Zone Due to Rising Acidification, New Study Warns

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June 15, 2025

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Earth’s Oceans Enter Danger Zone Due to Rising Acidification, New Study Warns

The oceans of Earth are in worse condition than it was, thought, said the scientists. This is because of the increased acidity levels that led the sea to enter the danger zone five years ago. As per the new study, oceans are more acidic by releasing carbon dioxide from industrial activities such as fossil fuel burning. This acidification of the oceans damages marine life and the ecosystem, in turn threatening the coastal human communities that are dependent on healthy waters for their life.

Oceans May Have Crossed the Danger Zone in 2020

In the study published on Monday, June 9, 2025, in the journal Global Change Biology, researchers have found that acidification is highly advanced tha it was considered in the previous years. Our oceans might have entered the danger zone in the year 2020. Previous research suggested that the oceans of Earth were approaching a danger zone for ocean acidification.

How Ocean Acidification Happens

Ocean acidification is driven by the absorption of ocean of excess CO2 into the ocean, which is rapidly contributing to the global crisis. CO2 dissolves in seawater, forming carbonic acid, lowering pH levels and invading the vital carbonate ions. This threatens the species in the water, such as corals and shellfish, which depend on calcium carbonate to build their skeletons and shells.

The Planetary Boundary May Be Breached

Recent research depicts that the ocean acidification levels may now be breached, crossing the previous estimate of a 19% aragonite decline from the previous industrial levels. Scientists are alarmed that this change could destabilise the ecosystems of marine and, in turn, the coastal economies. This is a ticking bomb with socioeconomic and environmental consequences.

Global Consequences of Acidification

The recent findings suggest that scientists have feared in the past. Ocean acidification has reached dangerous levels, exceeding the limit that is needed to maintain a healthy and stable environment. As critical habitats degrade, the rippling effects are expected to cause harm to biodiversity, impact food security for many of the people who depend on the oceans for their livelihood.

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NASA Chandra Spots Distant X-Ray Jet; Telescope Faces Major Budget Cuts

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June 15, 2025

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NASA Chandra Spots Distant X-Ray Jet; Telescope Faces Major Budget Cuts

NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory has detected an enormous X-ray jet from quasar J1610+1811, observed at a distance of about 11.6 billion light-years (roughly 3 billion years after the Big Bang). The jet spans over 300,000 light-years and carries particles moving at roughly 92–98% of the speed of light. It is visible in X-rays because high-energy electrons in the jet collide with the much denser cosmic microwave background at that epoch, boosting microwave photons into X-ray energies. These results were presented at the 246th AAS meeting and accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal.

Discovery of the Distant X-ray Jet

According to the study, Chandra’s high-resolution X-ray imaging, combined with radio data, allowed the team to isolate the jet at such a great distance. At the quasar’s distance (about 3 billion years after the Big Bang), the cosmic microwave background was much denser. As a result, relativistic electrons in the jet efficiently scatter CMB photons to X-ray energies. From the multiwavelength data the researchers infer that the jet’s particles are moving at roughly 0.92–0.98 c. Such near-light-speed outflows are among the fastest known.

These powerful jets carry enormous energy into intergalactic space and provide a unique probe of how black holes influenced their surroundings during the universe’s early “cosmic noon” era.

Chandra’s Future at Risk

However, the Chandra mission now faces possible defunding: NASA’s proposed budget calls for drastic cuts to its operating funds. For nearly 25 years, Chandra has been a cornerstone of X-ray astronomy, so its loss would constitute a major setback. The SaveChandra campaign warns that losing Chandra would be an “extinction-level event” for U.S. X-ray astronomy. Scientists warn that ending Chandra prematurely would cripple X-ray science.

Andrew Fabian commented Science magazine, “I’m horrified by the prospect of Chandra being shut down prematurely”. Elisa Costantini added in an interview with Science that if cuts proceed, “you will lose a whole generation ” and it will leave “a hole in our knowledge” of high-energy astrophysics. Without Chandra’s capabilities, many studies of the energetic universe would no longer be possible.

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JWST Reveals Pluto’s Haze Cools Atmosphere, Paints Charon’s Poles Red

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June 15, 2025

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JWST Reveals Pluto’s Haze Cools Atmosphere, Paints Charon’s Poles Red

Pluto and its moon Charon are shown with a thin haze of organic particles covering Pluto’s sunlit side. The haze both cools Pluto’s upper atmosphere by radiating heat into space and absorbs ultraviolet light that helps propel methane molecules to escape. This explains why Pluto’s mesosphere is colder than expected and why methane is leaking and even coating Charon’s poles red. The effect was predicted by Xi Zhang, and new JWST/MIRI observations confirm it. The results have implications for understanding Titan’s haze and Earth’s early atmosphere.

A Haze that Cools and Warms Pluto

According to a new study, using JWST’s mid-infrared observations, a team led by Tanguy Bertrand detected thermal emission from this haze layer. The tiny aerosol particles are thought to be complex hydrocarbons (“tholins”) and ices. These particles absorb the Sun’s ultraviolet light, heating the upper atmosphere and giving methane molecules extra energy. The haze then re-radiates that energy as infrared light, cooling the middle layers.

In fact, Zhang’s models show Pluto’s gases alone would overheat the mesosphere, so the haze must supply net cooling to balance the energy budget. Together, these effects mean the haze largely controls Pluto’s atmospheric energy balance. How much net warming versus cooling occurs depends on particle size and composition.

Haze Drives Escape and Paints Charon Red

Pluto’s atmosphere is so thin that any nudge can send molecules into space. Planetary scientist Will Grundy estimated Pluto loses about 1.3 kg/s of methane, with roughly 2.5% intercepted by Charon. The haze layer provides that nudge: its particles absorb solar UV light, heating molecules until they can escape Pluto’s gravity. The escaping methane then deposits on Charon’s poles, where radiation transforms it into complex, reddish tholin compounds.

This process effectively lets Pluto “paint” Charon’s poles with organic red stain—a phenomenon not seen elsewhere in the Solar System. By linking Pluto’s climate and Charon’s surface chemistry, the haze-driven escape provides a rare example of atmospheric exchange on icy worlds.

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