Supermassive Black Holes May Form From Dark Matter, Study Suggests

Artist’s impression of a spiral galaxy embedded in a larger distribution of invisible dark matter, known as a dark matter halo (colored in blue). ESO / L. Calçada

Supermassive black holes are exotic astrophysical objects harbored at the centers of galaxies. Their masses can reach 1 million to 1 billion times larger than our sun, and their gravitational force is so strong that even light cannot escape; hence the name “black” holes.

Dark matter is a mysterious form of matter that lurks in galaxies and clusters of galaxies. It gives a strong gravitational pull but emits no light, so it is known as “dark.”