Extragalactic Star Detected at Milky Way’s Center

Examining the stars in the night sky, it’s unlikely you’d distinguish one as foreign. However, astronomers have identified a star near the supermassive black hole at the Milky Way’s center, suggesting it originated in a smaller galaxy consumed by ours.

Among the Milky Way’s 100 billion stars, some appear to have migrated from other galaxies. While most are located in the galactic “halo,” on the outskirts, Japanese astronomers have identified one at the very center in a recent study.

Sagittarius A* and the Unlikely Birthplace of Stars

Right in the heart of the Milky Way resides Sagittarius A*, a supermassive black hole. Despite the bustling surroundings, the region is not considered conducive to frequent star births due to the immense gravitational forces exerted by this cosmic giant.

Researchers from Miyagi University of Education, investigating the origins of stars in the vicinity, made an unexpected discovery about one particular star, S0-6, located just under 11 light-years from the black hole. Monitored for eight years with the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii, the star, aged over 10 billion years, turned out to be an intriguingly well-traveled celestial veteran.

S0-6 exhibited a chemical composition distinct from neighboring stars and those within the Milky Way. Instead, its composition closely resembles stars found in smaller galaxies orbiting our own, such as the Small Magellanic Cloud and the Sagittarius Dwarf galaxy. The researchers propose that S0-6’s home galaxy was assimilated by the Milky Way in what appears to be a regular cosmic event, though the depth of these stars’ migration into the galactic center was previously unknown.

S0-6’s Migration to the Galactic Center Unveiled

This origin story suggests that the star must have traversed at least 50,000 light-years to reach its current position. However, the actual distance is likely much greater, as it would have gradually spiraled inward over billions of years rather than taking a direct path to the center.

Uncovering the peculiarities of S0-6 is just the beginning; in fact, it serves as an incentive for astronomers to conduct more in-depth studies, aiming to address additional questions.

Shogo Nishiyama, the study’s lead author, stated, “Did S0-6 truly come from beyond the Milky Way galaxy? Does it have any companions, or did it journey on its own? Through continued investigation, we aspire to unravel the enigmas surrounding stars in close proximity to the supermassive black hole.”

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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