August 16, 2022
Scientists at Masaryk University in the Czech Republic and the University of Cologne in Germany have discovered the fastest known star to orbit a black hole in the shortest time. Called S4716, this star orbits Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy, at speeds of 8,000kms per second. Details of S4716 were collected from observations over 20 years. According to scientists, the star’s orbit shrank over a period of time. This discovery will provide scientists insight into the origin and evolution of fast-moving stars located at the centre of the Milky Way.
Did You Know?
The smallest black holes are the size of atoms.
Image for representational purposes
