AI Insight
The fastest known star in the Milky Way galaxy passes so close to Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at our galaxy's center, that astronomers may be able to detect the black hole's rotation through its gravitational effect on the star's trajectory. This represents a potential first-time measurement of frame-dragging caused by the spin of our galaxy's central black hole, where the rotating black hole literally drags spacetime around with it.
Why it matters
Detecting the spin of Sagittarius A* through its effect on stellar orbits would provide a new way to test Einstein's general relativity in extreme gravitational environments and help scientists better understand the properties and behavior of supermassive black holes at galactic centers.
Understand the Science
The fastest known star in our galaxy comes so close to Sgr A* that the black hole’s rotation may pull it off course, enabling a first-of-its-kind detection.
The post Star Feels Spin of Milky Way’s Black Hole appeared first on Sky & Telescope.