A team of astrophysicists using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has observed a stunning light show from the center of our galaxy, featuring short bursts and longer flares. The activity is caused by the accretion disk around Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the Milky Way’s center.
The researchers found that the disk emits a constant stream of flares with no periods of rest, ranging from faint flickers lasting mere seconds to blindingly bright eruptions spewing daily. The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, provides new insights into the fundamental nature of black holes and how they interact with their surroundings.
The team observed Sagittarius A* for 48 hours in 8- to 10-hour increments across one year, revealing ongoing fireworks of various brightnesses and durations. They suspect two separate processes are responsible: minor disturbances within the accretion disk generating faint flickers, similar to solar flares, and magnetic reconnection events causing big, bright flares.
The researchers also discovered a time delay between the shorter-wavelength observations, which could provide clues about the physical processes occurring around the black hole. They aim to use Webb to observe Sagittarius A* for longer periods, reducing noise and enabling finer details.
This study sheds light on the dynamic behavior of supermassive black holes and their role in shaping our galaxy’s evolution. The James Webb Space Telescope’s observations offer a new window into the universe, providing insights into the mysteries of black holes and their surroundings.
Source: https://webbtelescope.org/contents/news-releases/2025/news-2025-110