Observations and Findings
's has provided unprecedented insights into the supermassive black hole at the center of the , observing a constant flickering light and occasional bright flares from its accretion disk.
The observations, totaling about 48 hours over a year, show the accretion disk's turbulence and chaotic nature, with material being drawn into the black hole's gravitational pull and dramatic flares similar to solar flares but at a much higher energy level.
Implications and Comparisons
This research not only enhances understanding of Sagittarius A* but also provides broader insights into how supermassive black holes interact with their surroundings, influencing gas distribution and potentially star formation in galaxies.
While most galaxies host a supermassive black hole at their core, Sagittarius A* is noted for its unique, always active state, contrasting with the relatively quiescent state of some black holes in other galaxies.