e-MERLIN survey with IIA astronomer finds hidden faint black holes in nearby galaxies
An international team including Dr Aru Beri of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics used the e-MERLIN radio array to study 280 nearby galaxies and found weakly active black holes in nearly a quarter of them (DST, 6 July 2026).
Summary
A high-resolution radio survey by an international team including Dr Aru Beri of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), an autonomous institute of DST, has revealed a hidden population of weakly active black holes in nearby galaxies, DST reported on 6 July 2026. Using the UK's e-MERLIN radio array of seven telescopes, the team observed 280 nearby galaxies from the Palomar sample at parsec scales. Compact radio emission was found at the centres of nearly one-quarter of the galaxies, pointing to weakly accreting supermassive black holes often missed by other methods. X-ray data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory backed the findings, and the study is among the first statistically complete high-resolution radio surveys of its kind.
Key facts
- Instrument
- e-MERLIN radio array (7 telescopes, UK)
- Sample
- 280 nearby galaxies (Palomar sample)
- Finding
- Compact radio emission in nearly one-quarter of galaxies
- Indian scientist
- Dr Aru Beri, IIA (DST)
- Supporting data
- NASA Chandra X-ray Observatory
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Which radio array did the international team including IIA's Dr Aru Beri use to find faint black hole activity in nearby galaxies (2026)?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — e-MERLIN
The team used the e-MERLIN radio array, seven telescopes across the UK working as an interferometer.
How many nearby galaxies were observed in the e-MERLIN survey reported by DST on 6 July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 280
The team observed 280 nearby galaxies selected from the Palomar sample.