What are supermassive black holes?

Supermassive black holes are the largest type of black hole, possessing masses millions to billions of times that of our Sun. They are believed to reside at the center of most large galaxies.

Where are supermassive black holes found?

Almost every large galaxy, including the Milky Way, is thought to host a supermassive black hole at its galactic center. Sagittarius A* is the supermassive black hole at the heart of our own galaxy.

How do supermassive black holes form?

The exact formation mechanism is still debated, but theories suggest they might grow from stellar-mass black holes by accreting vast amounts of gas and dust over billions of years, or through the merger of smaller black holes.

Do supermassive black holes pose a threat to Earth?

No, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way, Sagittarius A*, is over 26,000 light-years away. Its gravitational influence doesn't extend to our solar system in a disruptive way.