Formation of super-massive black holes

In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of super-massive black holes forming early in the history of galaxies through a process called "direct collapse." This involves the clumping of matter in the early universe and the formation of accretionary disks around the nucleus of galaxies. It is suggested that this process may have allowed for the rapid production of super-massive black holes, potentially before any supernova explosions could occur. There are references provided for further reading on this topic.
  • #1
Green dwarf
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It seems that the super-massive black holes at the centres of galaxies formed very early in the history of the galaxies (e.g ULAS J1342+0928, which had about 800 million solar masses 13.1 billion years ago).
Presumably, in the very early days, matter in the universe was much less clumped than it is now and dark and light matter would have been more evenly mixed. When regions of higher matter density started to nucleate into galaxies, the parts with high angular momentum relative to the nucleus would have gone into orbit and eventually formed accretionary disks, while the parts with low angular momentum would have fallen more directly and quite quickly into the nucleus. This matter might then have formed a single 'star'. This 'star' might have become very massive (many thousands of solar masses) before having time to be disrupted by supernova explosions or the like. Also, the fact that the material would have been mostly dark matter might have caused it to approach supernova readiness more slowly and photodisintegration of helium nuclei might also have helped stave off supernova explosion.
Is this feasible? If so, could such a 'star' have reached a sufficient mass for the centre to become dense enough to produce a black hole before any supernova-type explosion occurred? And, if so, would this allow for the very early and fast production of super-massive black holes?
 
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  • #3
Thanks trurle. Once I knew this was called 'direct collapse', I could find plenty written about it.
 

1. How do super-massive black holes form?

Super-massive black holes are believed to form through the merging of smaller black holes and the accretion of large amounts of gas and dust. This process occurs in the centers of galaxies, where the density of matter is high enough to facilitate the growth of a super-massive black hole.

2. What is the role of dark matter in the formation of super-massive black holes?

Dark matter plays a crucial role in the formation of super-massive black holes by providing the gravitational pull necessary for the gas and dust to collapse and form the black hole. Without the presence of dark matter, it is unlikely that super-massive black holes would be able to form.

3. How long does it take for a super-massive black hole to form?

The formation of a super-massive black hole is a slow process and can take millions to billions of years. The exact timescale depends on the availability of gas and dust, as well as the rate of mergers with smaller black holes.

4. Can super-massive black holes continue to grow after their formation?

Yes, super-massive black holes can continue to grow after their initial formation through the accretion of more matter. This can occur through the merging of other black holes or by pulling in gas and dust from their surrounding environment.

5. How do scientists study the formation of super-massive black holes?

Scientists study the formation of super-massive black holes through a combination of observations and computer simulations. They use telescopes to observe the centers of galaxies and look for evidence of black holes, as well as run simulations to model the formation process and compare it with observations.

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