Story perspectives

Astronomers Discover Gas Cloud Orbiting Milky Way's Black Hole

3/12/2026

33 7

Summary

Story summary

Astronomers using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope discovered gas cloud G2t orbiting Sagittarius A*, the Milky Way's supermassive black hole.
G2t follows a similar orbit to clouds G1 and G2, suggesting all three originated from the massive stars IRS16SW.
Dr. Stefan Gillessen said the orbits indicate the clouds likely contain no hidden stars.
The finding highlights mysteries at the galaxy's center and is described in Astronomy & Astrophysics.

1 of 1

Story summary

Astronomers using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope discovered gas cloud G2t orbiting Sagittarius A*, the Milky Way's supermassive black hole.
G2t follows a similar orbit to clouds G1 and G2, suggesting all three originated from the massive stars IRS16SW.
Dr. Stefan Gillessen said the orbits indicate the clouds likely contain no hidden stars.
The finding highlights mysteries at the galaxy's center and is described in Astronomy & Astrophysics.