Black hole unveils the intricate patterns of its magnetic fields

The latest observation of the black hole residing at the core of the Milky Way unveils the intricate patterns of its magnetic fields, swirling in mesmerizing formations.

A groundbreaking depiction of the supermassive black hole at the heart of our galaxy, Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*), has emerged, offering unprecedented insights into its magnetic field dynamics and the potential generation of a high-energy jet. Captured by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), this image unveils the intricate swirling patterns of magnetic fields enveloping Sgr A*, hinting at the emergence of a powerful jet of energetic material.

The EHT, renowned for its historic 2022 image unveiling Sgr A*, has once again pushed the boundaries of astronomical imaging. Building upon previous revelations of Sgr A*'s luminous whirlpool of hot plasma against the backdrop of its event horizon, where light succumbs to the gravitational abyss, researchers, led by Ziri Younsi from University College London, have now unveiled the polarization of light, offering a mesmerizing view of this cosmic phenomenon.

Published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, the study delves into the polarization mechanisms underlying the creation of this captivating image, shedding new light on the intricate interplay of forces within Sgr A*. Remarkably, the image bears striking resemblance to another supermassive black hole, M87*, known for its emission of high-energy jets. This parallelism suggests the tantalizing possibility that Sgr A* might also be capable of propelling such energetic jets into space, further enriching our understanding of these enigmatic celestial entities.