New research proposes that the mysterious “little red dots” spotted by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) may actually be a brand-new class of cosmic object: black hole stars. If true, this discovery could explain how black holes reached supermassive sizes before the universe was even one billion years old.
These little red dots have puzzled astronomers since they appear as early galaxies existing less than 700 million years after the Big Bang. However, they seem far more mature and well-structured than any galaxies expected from that time, filled with aging and cold red stars. Because of this, scientists have even labeled them “universe breakers” as they challenge established theories of galaxy formation and cosmic evolution.
The new research, however, suggests a possible solution. By re-examining these objects, scientists theorize that little red dots might not be galaxies at all. Instead, they could be vast spheres of dense, hot gas resembling star-like atmospheres. Unlike stars powered by nuclear fusion, these objects are driven by supermassive black holes devouring matter and releasing enormous energy.
Penn State University researcher Joel Leja explained, “We looked at enough red dots until one showed so much atmosphere it couldn’t be typical stars in a galaxy. Instead of many separate cold stars, it’s effectively one gigantic, very cold star.”
This interpretation helps explain why little red dots appear brighter and more massive than galaxy models allow. A galaxy with such impossible density would be extraordinarily luminous.
Princeton University researcher Bingjie Wang added, “The night sky of such a galaxy would be dazzlingly bright. If correct, this means stars formed through extraordinary processes never observed before.”
The idea that James Webb’s little red dots could be black hole stars offers a fascinating new perspective. It reshapes our understanding of galaxy evolution and the role of supermassive black holes in the early universe.
