New research based on data from the Euclid space telescope suggests that merging galaxies are one of the strongest triggers behind the sudden activity of supermassive black holes.
According to a report by Space.com, the study used an advanced artificial intelligence system to analyze one million galaxies. The aim was to understand when and how a galaxy forms an active galactic nucleus (AGN) — a stage when the central black hole starts pulling in large amounts of gas.
Scientists said the AI tool helped them detect AGN that may remain hidden in traditional surveys, especially those masked by dust.
AI Helps Identify Hidden Black Hole Activity
Researcher Berta Margalef-Bentabol explained that their new method can uncover faint AGN that older techniques fail to detect. This allowed the team to compare merging galaxies with stable ones in a fair and uniform way.
The results showed a clear difference.
Early-stage mergers, filled with heavy dust clouds, had six times more AGN than normal galaxies.
Later-stage mergers also showed twice the number of AGN compared to non-merging galaxies.
Mergers Push Gas Toward the Galactic Center
The study suggests that when galaxies collide, the movement of gas becomes chaotic. This gas then travels toward the center, feeding the black hole.
Researcher Antonio La Marca said that mergers might be the only major mechanism strong enough to activate the most powerful AGN. He added that many galaxies appearing calm today may have already passed through a violent merger in the past.
Why These Findings Matter
AGN events play a major role in shaping the future of a galaxy. When a black hole becomes active, it releases intense radiation. This energy can heat nearby gas and even stop the formation of new stars.
Because of this, scientists believe understanding AGN activity is key to understanding how galaxies grow and change over time.
Euclid’s wide sky coverage helped researchers observe a massive sample of galaxies at different distances. Previous telescopes could detect AGN but lacked the broad view needed to confirm the link between mergers and black hole growth.
With its sharp images and large survey area, Euclid now provides the data needed for long-term galaxy evolution studies.
AI and Astronomy Work Together
The study also highlights how artificial intelligence can speed up the analysis of massive space surveys. The AI tool detected AGN that are faint, dusty, or difficult to identify through normal observation.
Researchers say these findings will help build a better model of cosmic history as Euclid continues to provide new images and data in the coming years.