Core Viewpoint - A joint team from the University of Portsmouth and the Federal University of Brazil has discovered the largest black hole to date, located in the "Cosmic Horseshoe" galaxy, with a mass of 36 billion times that of the Sun, approaching the theoretical limit for black hole mass [1]. Group 1 - The innovative method used by the research team combines gravitational lensing effects with stellar kinematics analysis, which is considered the gold standard for measuring black hole mass [1][4]. - The team detected that the black hole altered the path of light passing nearby and that stars in the core region of the host galaxy are moving at nearly 400 kilometers per second [3]. - This method is particularly effective in detecting "dormant" black holes that are not actively accreting material, opening new avenues for discovering more supermassive black holes [4]. Group 2 - The discovery is significant for understanding the symbiotic relationship between galaxies and their central supermassive black holes, where galaxies supply material to the black holes, leading to their growth and influencing the evolution of the entire galaxy [4]. - The team plans to use the Euclid space telescope to search for more supermassive black holes and reveal their role in the process of star formation [5].

Core Insights - Astronomers have discovered the largest known black hole, located in the galaxy SDSS J1148+1930, approximately 5 billion light-years from Earth, with a mass about 36.3 billion times that of the Sun [1][3] - This discovery sets a new record for black hole mass observation and provides significant insights into the formation and evolution of the universe [1] Discovery Details - The black hole is situated at the center of the "cosmic horseshoe" gravitational lens structure, where the gravitational field of a massive galaxy bends and amplifies the light from more distant celestial bodies [3] - Researchers utilized both the degree of light bending and stellar kinematics to analyze the trajectories and velocities of stars at the galaxy's center, ensuring the reliability of the black hole's mass measurement [3] Classification and Implications - The discovered black hole is classified as "supermassive," surpassing the traditional category and nearing the theoretical maximum mass limit for black holes [3] - Scientists estimate that the maximum mass for black holes in the universe is around 50 billion times that of the Sun, indicating that the black hole in SDSS J1148+1930 is very close to this upper limit [3] - The galaxy SDSS J1148+1930 is described as a "fossil galaxy," formed from the merger of original galaxy clusters, each containing supermassive black holes, which ultimately merged to create this massive entity [3] - This finding provides crucial evidence for understanding how black holes grow through galaxy mergers and approach their maximum mass [3]

Core Viewpoint - The book "The Story of the Universe: An Exploration Journey through Stars and Seas" by Feng Lei presents the latest advancements in cosmology, emphasizing the evolution of human understanding of the universe from vague speculation to precise measurement and verification [2][3][4]. Group 1: Historical Context - In the early 20th century, physicist Kelvin claimed that physics was complete, but challenges like the Michelson-Morley experiment and the ultraviolet catastrophe of black body radiation led to revolutions in physics, namely relativity and quantum mechanics [2]. - In the early 21st century, scientists identified new challenges in physics, categorized as "two dark, one black, and three origins," which include dark matter, dark energy, black holes, and the origins of the universe, celestial bodies, and life [2]. Group 2: Cosmological Concepts - The book discusses how measurements of cosmic expansion led to the Big Bang cosmology model, predicting that the universe originated from a monumental explosion 13.8 billion years ago, evolving from a primordial state of basic particles to stars and galaxies [3][4]. - The narrative emphasizes the philosophical implications of cosmology, linking the vastness of the universe to the fundamental particles that constitute it, thus presenting cosmology as a unified field of study [3]. Group 3: Modern Cosmology - Modern cosmology has transitioned from philosophical speculation to an independent scientific discipline, with the Big Bang model providing numerous testable predictions that have been increasingly confirmed by precise experimental measurements [4][5]. - The book aims to make complex astrophysical processes and new cosmological knowledge accessible through descriptive language, avoiding mathematical formulas to engage a broader audience [5].