Mysterious Alignment Of Supermassive Black Holes Puzzling Astronomers

A group of 64 supermassive black holes have been observed to be mysteriously aligning in a remote area of the universe. The centers of the black holes appear to be spinning out radio jets, all of which point towards the same direction, according to a study published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Radio emissions from black holes is a known fact; however, this is the first time that the alignment is of such a magnitude. The occurrence indicates that a much greater and older force is propelling these black holes. The study is linking the phenomenon to primordial mass fluctuations in the early universe. 

"Since these black holes don't know about each other, or have any way of exchanging information or influencing each other directly over such vast scales, this spin alignment must have occurred during the formation of the galaxies in the early universe," said Professor Andrew Russ Taylor, Director of South Africa's Inter-University Institute for Data Intensive Astronomy (IDIA)

The alignment is puzzling astronomers, and they are speculating over some theories that could explain the cause that triggered the large-scale phenomenon. According to one of the theories advanced, the occurrence could be linked to cosmic strings which are theoretical fault lines in the universe. Cosmic magnetic fields or exotic particles like axions are other explanations that are being looked at. The scientists are not ruling out the fact that the cause could be due to an entire different reason altogether.

The researchers believe that such an alignment of black holes can give proof of the environmental influences that led to the evolution and formation of galaxies, in addition to throwing light on the primordial fluctuations that influenced the structure of the universe. The study of the alignment may also give clues about the early universe, including an idea about the timeline of the initial formation of black holes.