Largest ever radio sky survey maps the universe in unprecedented detail
Phys.org
February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
An international team utilizing the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) has unveiled an extraordinary radio sky map, marking a significant leap in our understanding of the cosmos. This survey has identified 13.7 million cosmic sources, offering the most comprehensive inventory to date of actively growing supermassive black holes. The findings highlight the diverse systems powered by these black holes, with their radio emissions spanning millions of light-years.
The LOFAR project's unparalleled sensitivity has enabled researchers to capture detailed images across a vast frequency range—80-240 MHz—which had been largely unexplored in radio astronomy. This unique approach allows for deeper insights into regions obscured by dust and gas, areas traditionally challenging to observe with other methods. The survey's ability to detect faint signals from distant galaxies has revealed a wealth of information about the distribution and behavior of supermassive black holes.
Among the discoveries are intricate details about the environments surrounding these black holes, including star-forming galaxies and jets emitted by active galactic nuclei. These observations provide critical clues about how galaxies evolve and the role of black hole activity in shaping their growth. The sheer number of sources detected underscores the prevalence of actively growing supermassive black holes across the universe.
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Originally published on Phys.org on 2/19/2026