Physicists have long believed in the existence of a supermassive black hole at the heart of our Milky Way galaxy, known as Sagittarius A* (SgrA*). Two years ago, the groundbreaking Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) unveiled the first-ever image of this mysterious entity. Now, the EHT has released a new polarized image that delves even deeper into SgrA*’s complexities, unveiling its swirling magnetic fields.
The intricate technical details of this latest image have been detailed in two new papers published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. The EHT, a global network of telescopes that work in unison through interferometry, has the ability to capture high-resolution images akin to a telescope the size of Earth.
Two years ago, the EHT made headlines with its groundbreaking image of the supermassive black hole at the center of the elliptical galaxy Messier 87, confirming its black hole status. In 2021, the EHT followed up with a new polarized image of M87*, shedding light on how black holes consume matter and emit powerful jets.
Furthermore, the EHT has also turned its attention to the supermassive black hole at the center of the radio galaxy Centaurus A, pinpointing its location in the vast universe. Despite its stellar achievements, capturing a sharp image of SgrA* posed unique challenges due to its smaller size and rapidly changing nature compared to M87*. It has been likened to attempting a one-second exposure of a tree on a windy day.
The EHT’s continuous exploration of these enigmatic cosmic phenomena promises to deepen our understanding of the universe’s most captivating secrets. Through cutting-edge technology and relentless dedication, scientists continue to push the boundaries of astronomical discovery.
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