Astronomers using the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope have discovered evidence that suggests the presence of a long-sought supermassive black hole at the heart of the nearby spiral galaxy Messier 83 (M83). This surprising finding, made possible by Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), reveals highly ionized neon gas that could be a telltale signature of an active galactic nucleus (AGN), a growing black hole at the center of a galaxy.

M83, also known as the Southern Pinwheel galaxy, has long been an enigma. While massive spiral galaxies often host AGNs, astronomers have struggled for decades to confirm one in M83. Previous observations hinted that if a supermassive black hole existed there, it must be dormant or hidden behind thick dust. Now, Webb’s unprecedented sensitivity and spatial resolution have unveiled signs that suggest otherwise.

“Our discovery of highly ionized neon emission in the nucleus of M83 was unexpected,” said Svea Hernandez, lead author of the new study with AURA for the European Space Agency at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, U.S. “These signatures require large amounts of energy to be produced—more than what normal stars can generate. This strongly suggests the presence of an AGN that has been elusive until now.”