Magnetic field may be keeping Milky Way’s black hole at bay

NASA's SOFIA observatory has provided insights into why the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way is less active compared to others. The research highlights the role of magnetic fields in channeling gas into an orbit around the black hole, preventing it from consuming gas and forming new stars. This understanding helps explain the relative dormancy of the Milky Way's black hole compared to more active ones in other galaxies.

What is the primary focus of NASA's SOFIA research regarding black holes?

• To find new black holes in the universe

• To compare the brightness of different galaxies

• To measure the size of black holes

• To understand the activity levels of black holes

How does the magnetic field at the Milky Way's center affect the black hole?

• It increases the black hole's size

• It channels gas into an orbit around the black hole

• It makes the black hole more active

• It causes the black hole to emit more light

What role does the magnetic field play in the calmness of the Sagittarius A* black hole?

• It prevents gas from entering the black hole

• It increases the black hole's gravitational pull

• It makes the black hole emit radio waves

• It causes the black hole to spin faster

What do the new observations reveal about the interaction between a black hole's atmosphere and its host galaxy?

• They help understand the material interaction

• They show that the atmosphere is unaffected by the host galaxy

• They reveal that the host galaxy is shrinking

• They indicate that the atmosphere is denser than expected

Why is the black hole at the center of the Milky Way fainter compared to others?

• It is further away from Earth

• It is surrounded by more stars

• It is not consuming gas directly

• It is smaller in size