RR Phantom
Location : Wasted Space Job/hobbies : Cayman Islands Actuary
| Subject: Supermassive black hole will 'eat' gas cloud Thu Dec 15, 2011 3:15 am | |
| Researchers have spotted a giant gas cloud spiralling into the supermassive black hole at our galaxy's centre.
Though it is known that black holes draw in everything nearby, it will be the first chance to see one consume such a cloud.
As it is torn apart, the turbulent area around the black hole will become unusually bright, giving astronomers a chance to learn more about it.
The cloud, which is described in Nature, should meet its end in 2013.
Researchers using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope estimate that despite its size, the cloud has a total mass of only about three times that of Earth.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16178112 |
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