Galaxy mergers light up fastest growing black holes

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 18, 2025

New Euclid satellite observations indicate that collisions between galaxies trigger the most powerful active galactic nuclei in the universe. The results strengthen the link between galaxy mergers and rapid growth phases of supermassive black holes at galactic centers.

Active galactic nuclei are periods when supermassive black holes at the center of galaxies accrete surrounding matter and