Space

A new image reveals magnetic fields around our galaxy’s central black hole

Event Horizon Telescope observations show the orientation of light around Sagittarius A*

Close up image of the Milky Way's central black hole showing magnetic field lines seen in polarized light

Whirling magnetic field lines seen in polarized light surround the Milky Way’s central supermassive black hole in this new image from the Event Horizon Telescope.

EHT Collaboration

By Adam Mann

Astronomers have gotten their best view yet of the magnetic fields around the gargantuan black hole at the center of the Milky Way.

A new image reveals that the behemoth, named Sagittarius A*, is encircled by highly-ordered magnetic structures, researchers report in two papers published March 27 in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.