Mark Gorski

Illustration: A spiralling, dense wind could help scientists understand why supermassive black holes are as massive as they are. Credit: M. D. Gorski/Aaron M. Geller

Dense, swirling winds help supermassive black holes grow

Newly uncovered process is similar to how stars and planets are born

By studying nearby galaxy ESO320-G030, a Northwestern University-led team of international astronomers has discovered extremely powerful rotating, magnetic winds help the galaxy’s central supermassive black hole grow.

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