Examples of Our Galaxy’s Black Holes | European Southern Observatory

Examples of Our Galaxy’s Black Holes | European Southern Observatory

This artist’s animation shows the locations and distances (in light-years [ly]) to examples of our galaxy’s stellar black holes: Gaia BH3, a black hole now found to be the most massive stellar black hole ever identified; Cygnus X-1, the next most massive stellar black hole; and Gaia BH1, the closest black hole to Earth. At the center of our galaxy, lurks Sagittarius A*, a supermassive black hole. 

Note that, due to a projection effect, Gaia BH3 looks closer to the Sun than Gaia BH1, but in reality the former is further away. It is the second-closest black hole to Earth identified to date.

Video Credit: European Southern Observatory (ESO)/L. Calçada/Space Engine

Duration: 30 seconds

Release Date: April 11, 2024

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