New Polarized Images of Black Hole at the Center of the Milky Way

Our own galaxy, the Milky Way, is home to anywhere from 100 to 400 billion stars, and at least as many planets.

At the center of the galaxy is an intense radio source known as Sagittarius A*, a supermassive black hole that has incredible, incomprehensible mass and power. 

Scientists have revealed new imagery of the black hole  looming at the center of the Milky Way. Seen through polarization, we see an incredible image that looks computer generated. But indeed, it’s the powerful magnetic fields spiraling outward from the center.

Two new research papers document how these amazing images were captured, and give us a bit more of a glimpse into the awesome power of these astronomical forces.

Taken by an array of radio telescopes called the Event Horizon Telescope, the image we see shows the radio waves that are then interpreted as visible light.

The M87* galaxy black hole compared to our own Sgr A* black hole.