An artist’s illustration showing a black hole. (Image source: AlexAntropov86 – Pixabay)
Astronomers have discovered the violent past of the black hole located at the center of our galaxy. But while this discovery is important, further studies will need to be conducted in the near future.
At the center of our galaxy, the Milky Way, there is a supermassive black hole that is still very mysterious. But many studies are being conducted on it, and recently, NASA’s X-ray space probe has revealed important details about its violent past.
It should be noted that black holes have such an intense gravity that it prevents matter, including light, from escaping. However, the matter surrounding these supermassive objects reacts to this gravity, which can generate powerful eruptions, although none have been detected by the current instruments concerning Sgr A*.
But recently, scientists have used the XRISM telescope to try to discover the past of this supermassive black hole. To do this, they observed a molecular cloud located near the center of the galaxy. And they managed to obtain a mirror image of the X-rays emitted by this black hole on this cloud, which reveals powerful eruptions over the last 1,000 years.
A map showing Sgr A* and the X-rays it emitted. (Image source: Mori et al. 2015)
Faced with such a discovery, Stephen DiKerby, team leader of Michigan State University, spoke out in a press release, highlighting this discovery:Â
“Nothing in my professional training as an X-ray astronomer had prepared me for something like this. This is an exciting new capability and a brand-new toolbox for developing these techniques.”
However, new studies could be conducted in the coming months to detect new elements. And there is no doubt that this will lead to a better understanding of the universe around us.
Alexis Stegmann – Tech Writer – 469 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2025
I’ve been working in the field of web writing for several years, and I’m passionate about keeping readers up to date with the latest news on astronomy, technology, the world of video games and other exciting subjects. In particular, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a number of websites, which has enabled me to cover a wide range of subjects. In my personal life, I’m passionate about a wide range of subjects, including astronomy, video games, history and science. I’m also drawn to psychology, which is a subject that deserves greater documentation and recognition.