Intermediate-sized Black Hole Detected: Galaxy NGC 6099 in Hercules | Hubble

Intermediate-sized Black Hole Detected: Galaxy NGC 6099 in Hercules | Hubble

The NASA/European Space Agency Hubble Space Telescope has revealed that most galaxies have supermassive black holes at their centers, but there is a mysterious middle category that has been challenging to find—intermediate mass black holes. These elusive objects only are incredibly difficult to detect.

Hubble and NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory teamed up to study one of these rare items in galaxy NGC 6099. Chandra detected scorching X-rays at three million degrees while Hubble revealed an incredibly dense cluster of stars packed together, creating the perfect feeding ground for a hungry black hole.

NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory is being canceled in NASA's Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request, along with 18 other active science missions. NASA's science budget is being reduced by nearly 50%.

Contact your representatives in the United States Congress, House and Senate, to express your concerns about severe science budget cuts at NASA: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials/

NASA's Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request

 https://www.nasa.gov/fy-2026-budget-request/

This discovery shows how different space telescopes working together across wavelengths can unveil the complete story of these cosmic phenomena, helping us understand the full spectrum of black holes shaping our universe.

NGC 6099 is a elliptical galaxy in the Hercules constellation. It is located close to the celestial equator and is partly visible from Earth's southern and northern hemispheres at certain times of year.

Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center 
Paul Morris: Lead Producer
Duration: 2 minutes, 32 seconds
Release Date: July 24, 2025

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