New discovery: Binary star system D9 orbits Sagittarius A in Milky Way
A pair of stars, designated D9, has been identified orbiting Sagittarius A, the supermassive black hole at the core of the Milky Way, according to a study published in Nature Communications. This is the first time a binary star system has been detected in close proximity to such an immense gravitational force. The finding was made using data from the European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) Very Large Telescope (VLT). The binary system, described as a young stellar pair, was observed in the S cluster, a densely packed region of stars and other objects near Sagittarius A. D9’s existence offers critical insights into how stars and their systems can survive in environments characterised by extreme gravitational forces.
The lead researcher, Florian Peißker from the University of Cologne, stated in Nature Communications that this discovery challenges previous assumptions about the hostile nature of black hole surroundings, stating that black holes may not be as destructive as we thought.
Significance of the Binary System
Reportedly, binary star systems, which involve two stars orbiting each other, are commonly found across the universe. However, their presence near a supermassive black hole was previously thought unlikely due to the destabilising effects of the black hole’s intense gravity. D9, believed to be about 2.7 million years old, is expected to merge into a single star within the next one million years due to these forces.
According to Michal Zajaček, a researcher at Masaryk University, in a statement, gas and dust surrounding D9 suggest the binary system formed near the black hole, defying long-standing theories about star formation in such conditions.
Implications for Future Research
The discovery was made using a combination of data from ESO’s SINFONI and ERIS instruments, revealing recurring patterns in D9’s light spectrum. Researchers suggest this finding could enhance understanding of other enigmatic objects in the S cluster, including the so-called G objects. With advancements in instruments like ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope, further exploration of this unique environment is anticipated.
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In June 2024, scientists detected a mysterious, powerful burst of radio waves originating from within our galaxy. At first, they thought it was coming from a pulsar or another undiscovered cosmic object. However, an analysis revealed the origin of the signal was too close to the Earth. Astronomers think it was caused by a long-dead NASA satellite Relay 2, was launched in 1964 but ceased operations in 1967 after its communication systems failed. Yet, nearly 60 years later, it mysteriously emitted a powerful radio signal, the researchers said in a new preprint study, which was posted June 13 to the server arXiv and has not yet been peer-reviewed.
Relay 2: A Silent Satellite Sends a Loud Signal
According to the study, the signal was detected using the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) telescope array. These intense flashes typically originate from deep space and can carry more energy in milliseconds than the sun emits over several days.
But this signal, lasting just 30 nanoseconds, was traced back to the vicinity of Earth, too close for ASKAP to focus on clearly. After ruling out cosmic sources, the team traced the pulse to the orbit of Relay 2. Despite having no functioning systems, the satellite somehow emitted the brightest radio flash in the sky at that moment.
Researchers proposed two theories: a micrometeorite impact that created a radio-emitting plasma cloud, or an electrostatic discharge (ESD) caused by charge buildup on the satellite’s aging materials.
New Clues About Spacecraft Behavior and Space Debris
Though both mechanisms could produce similar signals, scientists lean toward electrostatic discharge as the likelier cause. According to space physicists, older spacecraft like Relay 2 may be especially prone to such energy releases due to outdated materials and limited shielding.
Karen Aplin told New Scientist that studying these accidental emissions could help monitor ESD events on today’s small satellites — many of which also lack advanced protection. In an increasingly crowded orbital environment, this detection method may offer a novel tool for evaluating space debris and satellite health.
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The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has captured its first direct image of a newly discovered exoplanet. Astronomers announced that Webb imaged a Saturn-mass planet orbiting the nearby young star TWA 7. Dubbed TWA 7 b, the planet’s mass is only about 0.3 times that of Jupiter – roughly Saturn’s mass – making it the smallest planet ever seen via direct imaging. Most of the nearly 6,000 known exoplanets have been detected indirectly. To spot TWA 7 b, the JWST team used a coronagraph (like a solar eclipse) to block the star’s light and reveal the faint planet.
Detecting a Hidden World
According to the study published in the journal Nature, Webb’s team targeted TWA 7 because its dusty disk is viewed nearly face-on, revealing clear ring structures. They used Webb’s MIRI instrument with a coronagraph to mask the star’s glare. After processing the data, a faint infrared point source appeared roughly 1.5 arcseconds from TWA 7 (about 50 times the Earth–Sun distance).
This source lies in a gap of the star’s second dust ring. Its brightness and color match what theoretical models predict for a young, cold planet roughly Saturn’s mass. The object seems to be carving out the ring gap just as an orbiting planet would. Astronomers ruled out other explanations (like a background star) to confirm the signal is best explained by a planet.
A Step Toward Smaller Worlds
TWA 7 b’s Saturn-like mass makes it about ten times less massive than any exoplanet previously captured in a direct image. Its discovery shows that Webb can now image worlds far smaller than the giant exoplanets seen before. Scientists say the telescope may eventually detect planets as light as 10% of Jupiter’s mass, pushing toward Earth-like size.
This breakthrough “paves the way” to imaging truly terrestrial planets in the future. Astronomers even predict that upcoming observatories could dramatically increase the number of Earth-size planets seen by direct imaging. Next-generation telescopes – on the ground and in space – are being planned with even more powerful coronagraphs to hunt for the first directly photographed Earth analogues.
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