Why are 'fireworks' coming from a black hole? This is what scientists say
NPRWhy are 'fireworks' coming from a black hole? This is what scientists say toggle caption NASA, ESA, CSA, Ralf Crawford /NASA.gov A supermassive black hole in the center of the Milky Way galaxy is creating a light show that's intriguing astronomers. Sponsor Message The flares are common in supermassive black holes and have been seen before, says Farhad Yusef-Zadeh, a professor of physics and astronomy at Northwestern University who led the study. Studying flares in accretion disks like those of Sagittarius A* can help scientists learn more about black holes in general, says Dr. Moiya McTier, an astrophysicist. Understanding both the flares and black holes is also important because it will help scientists test scientific theories, including predictions in Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity, Yusef-Zadeh says.
History of this topic
NASA telescope captures the most detailed glimpse yet of the black hole in the middle of our galaxy
The Independent
Astronomers detect hot gas bubble around the Milky Way’s supermassive black hole
The Independent
‘Like a lighthouse beam’: Supermassive black hole at centre of Milky Way exploded, scientists find
The Independent
‘Monster’ cosmic blast zipped harmlessly by Earth
Associated PressDiscover Related