Astronomers find hundreds of 'hidden' black holes — and there may be billions or even trillions more

Artist concept of a supermassive black hole surrounded by a torus of gas and dust is depicted in four different wavelengths of light.

Astronomers have discovered hundreds of hidden supermassive black holes lurking in the universe — and there may be billions or even trillions more out there that we still haven't found.

The researchers identified these giant black holes by peering through clouds of dust and gas in infrared light. The finds could help astronomers refine their theories of how galaxies evolve, the researchers say.