“By using an advanced imaging mode of the camera, we can effectively double its resolution over a smaller area of the sky. Instead of Webb’s 6.5-meter diameter, it’s like we are observing this region with a 13-meter space telescope.”
Implications beyond Circinus
Researchers caution that Circinus may not represent all active galaxies. Its black hole is relatively moderate in brightness, which could explain why emissions are dominated by the dust torus rather than energetic outflows.
Lopez-Rodriguez noted that studying a broader sample will be critical:
“We need a statistical sample of black holes, perhaps a dozen or two dozen, to understand how mass in their accretion disks and their outflows relate to their power.”
Future observations using the same technique could help astronomers determine whether Circinus is typical or an exception among nearby galaxies.
Opening a new window on black holes
Julien Girard of the Space Telescope Science Institute emphasized the broader significance of the achievement:
