Webb observations suggest accretion, not outflows, dominate near Circinus black hole

A team led by Dr. Enrique Lopez‑Rodriguez of the University of South Carolina used NASA’s Webb telescope to image the region around the supermassive black hole at the center of the Circinus galaxy, applying the Aperture‑Mask Interferometry technique to obtain high‑contrast, high‑resolution views of outflow and accretion components.

The Webb observations targeted the infrared emission closest to the black hole. That emission had been thought to be dominated by outflows—streams of superheated matter fired outward—but the new images provide evidence that reverses this view, suggesting most of the hot, dusty material is feeding the central black hole.

The science highlight reports these results as evidence that challenges the previous interpretation. The highlight does not detail subsequent steps or wider implications beyond the presented observations.

Key Topics

Science, Circinus Galaxy, Supermassive Black Hole, Webb Telescope, Aperture Mask Interferometry, Enrique Lopez-rodriguez