Milky Way’s ‘most massive’ black hole, 33 times bigger than Sun, found lurking near Earth

Astronomers have discovered the Milky Way's "most massive" black hole, which is 33 times larger than the Sun, located relatively close to Earth. This significant find highlights the vast and complex nature of our galaxy, offering insights into the dynamics and evolution of celestial bodies in the Milky Way.

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery within the Milky Way, identifying what they've termed the "most massive" black hole to date. With a mass at least 33 times greater than that of the Sun, this colossal cosmic entity lurks a mere 2,000 light-years away from Earth. The revelation came courtesy of astronomers involved in the European Southern Observatory's Gaia mission, who detected telltale signs of the black hole's presence by observing the gravitational effects it exerted on neighboring stars. This finding not only expands our understanding of the galaxy's structure but also offers profound insights into the fundamental dynamics of the universe.

Dubbed Gaia BH3, this newfound black hole holds the distinction of being the second-closest to Earth and resides within the Aquila constellation. The name "Gaia" originates from Latin, signifying "the eagle," adding a symbolic layer to this cosmic discovery.

"This is the kind of discovery you make once in your research life," commented Pasquale Panuzzo, an astronomer affiliated with the National Centre for Scientific Research at the Observatoire de Paris. Panuzzo expressed surprise at the revelation of a high-mass black hole lurking nearby, previously undetected.

‍How are black holes formed?

Black holes form when stars reach the end of their life cycle. While many stars inflate, lose mass, and cool down to become "white dwarfs," others, known as "metal-poor stars," lose less mass and lack heavy elements. Instead of transforming into white dwarfs, these stars collapse inward, ultimately forming black holes.

The discovery suggests that the star responsible for collapsing into the Gaia BH3 black hole likely originated from a metal-poor star. Further insights can be gleaned from the behavior of the companion star, which exhibits a noticeable "wobble" as it orbits the black hole. Such pairs of stars typically share similar characteristics.

Remarkably, the companion star also appears to be a metal-poor star, adding another layer of intrigue to this cosmic phenomenon.

50 stellar black holes in the Milky Way

Scientists at NASA believe there are more than 50 stellar black holes in the Milky Way galaxy.

In January, astronomers announced the detection of the oldest black hole known to date, originating from the early universe over 13 billion years ago.

Situated within an ancient galaxy known as GN-z11, positioned 13.4 billion light years away, this black hole was identified utilizing the James Webb Space Telescope.

Source: wionews