How We Discovered the Milky Way's Black Hole

The video explores the discovery and study of Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way. Initially detected through radio waves by Karl Jansky in the 1930s, it wasn't until 1974 that astronomers confirmed its existence using radio interferometry. Despite early challenges in resolution, further research in the 2000s confirmed its mass and radius, solidifying its status as a black hole. Future observations aim to capture its image and test theories of gravity and space-time.

What is the primary reason black holes like Sagittarius A* are difficult to detect?

• They move too fast.

• They do not emit light.

• They emit too much light.

• They are too small.

Who was the physicist that first traced static to interstellar space, leading to the discovery of Sagittarius A*?

• Isaac Newton

• Albert Einstein

• Karl Jansky

• Galileo Galilei

What technological tool was crucial in identifying Sagittarius A* as a black hole?

• Microscope

• Radio interferometer

• Satellite

• Optical telescope

In what year did astronomers finally provide convincing evidence of Sagittarius A* being a black hole?

• 1969

• 1990

• 1985

• 1974

What inspired the name 'Sagittarius A*' for the black hole?

• Atomic physicists' notation for excited states

• A mythological creature

• The constellation it is located in

• A famous astronomer

What was the significant finding by the UCLA team in 2002 regarding Sagittarius A*?

• It was not a black hole.

• It had a mass of 4,000,000 Suns.

• It was moving away from the galaxy center.

• It was larger than previously thought.

What future goal do scientists have for studying Sagittarius A*?

• To increase its mass

• To change its orbit

• To move it closer to Earth

• To take a proper picture of it