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Researchers Trace Large Magellanic Cloud's Path Using Stars

11/19/2025

Summary

Story summary

The Harvard Center for Astrophysics researchers Scott Lucchini and Jiwon Jesse Han use hypervelocity stars to trace the Large Magellanic Cloud's trajectory.
They identify three stars likely ejected from the LMC, implying a supermassive black hole (SMBH) at the galaxy's center.
The researchers ran simulations and conclude the LMC could be on its first or second orbit around the Milky Way, with coordinates for the SMBH provided but needing confirmation.

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Story summary

The Harvard Center for Astrophysics researchers Scott Lucchini and Jiwon Jesse Han use hypervelocity stars to trace the Large Magellanic Cloud's trajectory.
They identify three stars likely ejected from the LMC, implying a supermassive black hole (SMBH) at the galaxy's center.
The researchers ran simulations and conclude the LMC could be on its first or second orbit around the Milky Way, with coordinates for the SMBH provided but needing confirmation.