Scientists have identified a black hole, designated RACS J0320-35, with a mass approximately one billion times that of the Sun, located about 12.8 million light-years from Earth. What makes this object extraordinary is its growth rate, which defies theoretical expectations.

According to observations from the Chandra X-ray Observatory, the black hole is accreting matter at 2.4 times the theoretical maximum speed. Its growth is fueled by large amounts of surrounding gas, dust, and stellar debris.

Researchers estimate it gains 300 to 3,000 solar masses annually. Among black holes observed during the first billion years after the Big Bang, this one emits the highest levels of X-rays.

Astronomers are viewing the object as it appeared just 920 million years after the universe’s formation. The origin of its enormous size remains unclear, but scientists suggest it could have formed through the direct collapse of a dense, massive gas cloud.