Astronomers have unveiled an astonishing discovery: Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the heart of our Milky Way galaxy, is spinning at nearly its maximum possible speed.
This revelation adds a new chapter to our understanding of black hole physics and galactic evolution.
This cosmic detective work was powered by artificial intelligence and a vast library of over 12 million simulations. Researchers trained a neural network to sift through radio data collected by the Event Horizon Telescope, comparing it to theoretical models of black hole behavior.
What emerged was a remarkably precise portrait of Sagittarius A*: a rapidly rotating giant, dragging the very fabric of space-time around with it through a phenomenon known as frame dragging.
Interestingly, one of the black hole’s poles appears to be tilted almost directly toward Earth—a rare and lucky alignment that makes close observation easier and more revealing.
Even more surprising is the source of the emissions we observe from its surroundings. Rather than the expected energetic jets, it’s superheated electrons spiraling in the accretion disk that seem to be driving the light show.
Adding to the cosmic mystery, the magnetic fields near the black hole aren’t behaving the way astrophysicists anticipated.
The structure and motion of the surrounding plasma challenge existing models, prompting scientists to rethink how magnetic forces interact with black hole spin and accretion.
For years, Sagittarius A* was a shadowy enigma—its activity hidden behind dust, gas, and distance. But with increasingly powerful tools and clever techniques, astronomers are pulling back the curtain.
The black hole at the center of our galaxy isn’t just lurking in the dark—it’s spinning fiercely, shaping the Milky Way around it in ways we're only beginning to understand.
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