Scientists have suggested that active galactic nuclei (AGNs), the bright regions surrounding supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies, could serve as birthplaces for giant planets despite their harsh, turbulent environments.
According to the researchers, active galactic nuclei form when supermassive black holes are surrounded by massive amounts of gas and dust arranged in flat disks. As material gradually spirals toward the black hole, friction heats up the surrounding matter, emitting massive amounts of light across the electromagnetic spectrum.
The idea challenges traditional assumptions about planet formation.
Scientists have long believed that the highly turbulent conditions inside AGN disks would make it difficult for planets to evolve. However, the researchers suggest that the outer regions of these disks may contain temperatures suitable for planetary formation.
Jupiter-mass planets are likely to form within these environments, said Bhupendra Mishra, a researcher at the University of Colorado Boulder. The proposed planets would be dust-rich giants with masses exceeding that of Jupiter and may resemble giant lava worlds.
Researchers believe that active galactic nuclei could host large numbers of these planets due to the abundance of gas and dust available in their disks.
However, discovering these worlds remains a challenge.
Scientists suggest that gravitational lensing, a phenomenon in which gravity bends and amplifies light, could help identify planetary clusters forming in the outer regions of AGN disks.
Mishra said that finding these planets will not be easy and will likely require favorable observing conditions. He added that further study of the model is needed, but expressed confidence that such planets could eventually be discovered.
The results suggest that planet formation may occur in environments previously considered extremely hostile, expanding scientists’ understanding of where planets could appear in the universe.
