First-ever binary star found near our galaxy's supermassive black hole

Scientists discovered the first-ever pair of binary stars in the vicinity of the black hole at the center of our galaxy, according to research released yesterday. The discovery suggests black holes are not as destructive as previously believed and sheds light on the evolution of stars in the universe.



Using spectrometers mounted on the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope, researchers identified a young pair of several-million-year-old stars bound together by gravity, which they dubbed D9. The pair orbit Sagittarius*, the supermassive black hole occupying the center of our Milky Way galaxy roughly 26,000 light-years away. For decades, researchers had observed clouds of dust and gas in the region called an S cluster, as well as solo stars, but believed the black hole's powerful pull would destabilize binary systems.