Star Discovered Orbiting Milky Way's Black Hole at Record Speed
S301 holds the closest known orbit to Sagittarius A*, offering unprecedented black hole insights.
1Record-Breaking Star
The star S301 has claimed the title of the fastest known star, reaching 24,900 km/s (89.5 million km/h) around Sagittarius A*, our galaxy's supermassive black hole. This speed is 45 times faster than the previous record-holder. Astronomers at the Max Planck Institute measured this incredible velocity using the GRAVITY instrument on Chile's Very Large Telescope.
2Unprecedented Proximity
S301 orbits 10 times closer to Sagittarius A* than S2, the previously closest-known star. This extreme proximity allows scientists to observe gravitational effects with unmatched clarity. Researchers emphasize that such closeness provides a unique opportunity to study black hole dynamics in ways never before possible.
3Spacetime Warping Observed
For the first time, scientists have detected the 'frame-dragging' (Lense-Thirring) effect predicted by Einstein's general relativity on S301. This phenomenon occurs when rotating black holes twist spacetime like a vortex. By analyzing S301's orbital deviations, the team calculated Sagittarius A*'s spin rate—a monumental achievement in astrophysics.
4Triumph of Observation Technology
Detecting S301—one of the faintest stars (2 billion times dimmer than Betelgeuse)—required Europe's Southern Observatory in Chile. Custom-built GRAVITY and MICADO instruments provided millimeter-level precision to track the star's minuscule movements. This discovery would have been impossible without these technological marvels.
5Illuminating Black Hole Physics
Even S301's tiniest orbital fluctuations reveal critical data about black hole magnetic fields and gravitational properties. Scientists plan to monitor the star for the next decade to answer fundamental questions about how black holes grow and shape galaxies—a research opportunity described as 'once in a generation.'
6Cosmic Speed Comparisons
S301's velocity is 110 times faster than our solar system's galactic motion (800,000 km/h) and 125 times quicker than humanity's fastest spacecraft (Parker Solar Probe at 700,000 km/h). Yet it remains slow compared to light speed (300,000 km/s). These comparisons highlight the star's extraordinary nature within our cosmic neighborhood.
7New Proof for Einstein
S301's observations confirmed another prediction of general relativity: time slows near black holes due to extreme gravity. The star's orbit shows measurable 'time dilation' compared to Earth clocks. These findings provide new ways to test physics at cosmic scales, with implications for our understanding of spacetime itself.
8Astronomy Milestone
The S301 discovery marks a new era in black hole research—the first time astronomers can observe a star within a black hole's 'personal space.' Data quality will improve further when the 39-meter Extremely Large Telescope becomes operational in 2025. Published in Nature Astronomy, this breakthrough redefines our approach to studying galactic centers.
Original article: CNET — Samanyolu'nun Kara Deliği Etrafında Rekor Hızla Dönen Yıldız Keşfedildi