Scientists find closest star to the Milky Way's central black hole
Star, moving at 8% the speed of light, may let us measure the black hole's rotation.
Scientists have discovered a star that orbits the supermassive black hole at the heart of our Milky Way galaxy, known as Sgr A*, closer than any other previously identified. This star, described in a recent issue of Nature, could provide the first measurements of the black hole's spin. Despite knowing about the presence of Sgr A* since the 1970s, it was not until recent years that scientists were able to capture an image of the black hole.
The understanding of Sgr A* largely came from observing a group of stars that orbit it, which allowed researchers to estimate its mass and size. These stars served as unique tools, enabling scientists to study an environment that would otherwise be inaccessible.
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