A recently proposed type of galaxy with an overwhelmingly large black hole in its center could give astronomers a better understanding of the formation of quasars — bright objects in galaxies with supermassive black holes. The centers of these obese black-hole galaxies (OBGs) could harbor black holes so massive that radiation from where the black hole accretes would overwhelm that of the stars within its galaxy.

New research indicates that some of the most luminous quasars seen from Earth were likely OBGs first before something "lit up" the black hole and had it pump out energy visible from Earth. [Images: Black Holes of the Universe]