Astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have discovered a massive cosmic object in the Cetus constellation that resembles a star but derives its energy from a central black hole roughly 1 lakh times larger than the Sun, dating back approximately 66 crores years after the Big Bang.
Deep in the distant universe, an international team of researchers has identified a strange celestial phenomenon that defies standard stellar classification. While it shines with the intense illumination of a giant star, its internal power source operates on an entirely different mechanism. Researchers describe the entity as a black hole surrounded by an extremely dense envelope of hydrogen gas, creating the visual impression of a glowing star.
Discovery in the Cetus Constellation
The unusual object was spotted as researchers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope searched for the most distant galaxies in the universe. During their observations, the team noticed a distinct, highly luminous red point that stood out in the telescope’s archived images. Designated as MoM-BH-1*, this object exhibited a light profile that turned sharply red before abruptly disappearing below a specific wavelength.
Computer simulations confirmed that the light is not generated by nuclear fusion—the process that powers conventional stars—but rather by the matter being consumed by the black hole at its center.
Anatomy of a Black Hole Star
The newly identified entity matches the size of the entire solar system. Its structure combines two distinct astrophysical bodies that scientists previously understood as separate entities. At its core lies a massive black hole, while the surrounding envelope consists of dense gas that radiates intense red light.
The central black hole is estimated to be roughly 1 lakh times larger than the Sun. Rather than operating like a normal star fueled by burning hydrogen through nuclear reactions, this object draws its energy from the material swallowed by the gravitational well at its center.
Scientific Implications for Early Universe Research
Researchers calculate that this celestial formation originated roughly 66 crores years after the Big Bang. Because of its extreme age, the object offers astronomers a rare window into the conditions of the early universe.
