For some unknown reason, the black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy shoots out an X-ray flare about once a day.
These flares last a few hours with the brightness ranging from a few times
to nearly one hundred times that of the black hole’s regular output. But back
in February 2012, astronomers using the Chandra X-Ray Observatory detected the
brightest flare ever observed from the central black hole, also known as
Sagittarius A*. The flare, recorded 26,000 light years away, was 150 times
brighter than the black hole’s normal luminosity.
What causes these outbursts? Scientists aren’t sure. But Sagittarius A*
doesn’t seem to be slowing down, even though as black holes age they should
show a decrease in activity.
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"The Milky Way’s Black Hole Shoots Out Brightest Flare Ever"
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