Explore the Mysterious Pulsating Phenomenon in the center our Galaxy

Overlooking the vast cosmic landscape, our Milky Way's central supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A*, is rather tranquil. Unlike its counterparts in other galaxies, it doesn't voraciously consume vast amounts of material or spew gigantic plasma jets into the cosmos. Yet, even in its relative serenity, Sagittarius A* possesses extraordinary traits and an enigmatic pulsation phenomenon. Its gamma-ray flow signal flickers like a clock every 76 minutes. This rhythmic pattern, researchers claim, aligns with the periodic shifts of the black hole's radio and X-ray emissions, hinting at a vortical orbital movement.

Shedding Light on the Galactic Center

Sitting in stark contrast to the vibrant universe, black holes are darker than the deepest shadows, eluding our telescopes' detection. However, their surrounding space tells a different story. In the gravity-laden environment just outside a black hole's event horizon, myriad phenomena occur. Sagittarius A* emits light at multiple wavelengths with significant intensity variations over time. Among these wavelengths, astronomers have discerned a distinct pattern.

Groundbreaking research in 2022 revealed that radio waves oscillate over an approximately 70-minute timescale. Further, a 2017 study disclosed a 149-minute periodicity at the base of the black hole's X-ray emissions, nearly twice the frequency of radio fluctuations. Then comes in gamma rays.

The Gamma-Ray Connection to Sagittarius A*

Only recently in 2021, researchers definitively linked gamma radiation to Sagittarius A*. This groundbreaking revelation prompted an exploration of potential secrets within the gamma-ray data. The research team analyzed public data captured by the Fermi gamma-ray space telescope from June to December 2022 and sought out periodic patterns.

Cracking the Code of Sgr A*

Their findings unveiled a fascinating pattern. Every 76.32 minutes, Sagittarius A* emits a burst of gamma radiation, the wavelength range of the universe's most potent light. The synchrony with radio and X-ray periodicity suggests a unified underlying cause, likely hinting at an orbital movement around the black hole.

The researchers postulate that a mass of hot gas, bound by a robust magnetic field, orbits Sagittarius A*. This gas mass emits radiation during the acceleration of the synchrotron process. Its orbital distance from Sgr A* is akin to Mercury's from the Sun, but it travels at an astounding 30% of light speed. The gas mass likely emits energy across multiple wavelengths, supporting the gamma-ray glow discovery.

Despite these findings, the study of black holes, particularly Sagittarius A*, remains challenging. Future investigations across broader wavelengths could unveil more details about the enigmatic center of our Milky Way.

Source: Science Alert, Arxiv