Unusual Objects Found Orbiting The Central Black Hole Of The Milky Way
By Aakarsh Dube 1 week, 4 days
Just like most galaxies, the galactic core of the Milky Way hosts a supermassive black hole that will indiscriminately spaghettify and devour all objects that tread too close to it, or does it? A new study has found that sometimes the gluttonous entities can form a strange union with objects.
Astronomers from the UCLA and W. M. Keck Observatory have observed odd star-like gaseous objects near Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the centre of Milky Way galaxy. The astronomers have named the new and unique class of celestial entities as G objects and numbered each of the six observed yet. The researchers in their paper explained, "The G objects show the characteristics of gas and dust clouds but display the dynamical properties of stellar-mass objects."
The six G objects revolve around the central black hole mostly in form of compact ovoids with an orbital range of 100 to 1000 years. The object, G1 was the first to be observed in 2005 followed by G2 that was found in 2012. Researchers in their study reported the discovery of four new objects - G3, G4, G5 and G6 along with the orbital path of all six G objects.
SEE ALSO: Astronomers Discover 'Wandering' Massive Black Holes In Neighbouring Dwarf Galaxies
In 2014, the object G2 was observed as it made a close approach to the central black hole. While coming in very close to the black hole, the object stretched out and lost its outer layer of material, becoming even more compact as it moved away. Researchers explained that when the material is pulled by the tidal forces, it heats up, emitting bright light just before it is consumed into the event horizon.
Researchers think all six objects were binary star system that merged under the gravitational influence of the supermassive black hole. The objects might be hiding stellar objects within them as lead author Anna Ciurlo explain, "Something must have kept it compact and enabled it to survive its encounter with the black hole."
One of the discoverers of the G1 object and co-author of the study Andrea Ghez thinks the research will give insights into the inner workings of galaxies. He mentioned, "The centre of our galaxy has a density of stars 1 billion times higher than our part of the galaxy. The gravitational pull is so much stronger. The magnetic fields are more extreme. The centre of the galaxy is where extreme astrophysics occurs—the X-sports of astrophysics."
More mystery objects found near the Milky Way's supermassive black hole! They appear to be stars camouflaged as gas clouds. The study is published in @nature. Congrats to @UCLA's Anna Ciurlo, our very own astronomer Randy Campbell + team! https://t.co/YvmbmhHOSV pic.twitter.com/7JTBlX6zA1
— W. M. Keck Observatory (@keckobservatory) January 15, 2020
SEE ALSO: Messier 87's Black Hole Is Spinning So Fast, It's Close To Defying All Laws Of Physics!
Image credit: Anna Ciurlo/Tuan Do/UCLA Galactic Center Group
TOPICS: Science, Science, Space, celestial phenomenon, I Fucking Love Science, Milky Way Galaxy, Binary Stars, Sagittarius A*, supermassive black hole, Science And Technology, space news, Black Hole
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