First Binary Star Discovered Near Milky Way’s Supermassive Black Hole

Researchers have identified the first-ever binary star system, named D9, near Sagittarius A, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way, Anadolu Agency reported yesterday.

This groundbreaking discovery, published in Nature Communications on December 18, challenges previous assumptions about black holes being destructive.

Lead author Florian Peibker from the University of Cologne noted that, despite the intense gravitational forces, the binary stars have remained stable, indicating they can survive in such extreme conditions. The D9 system, estimated to be 2.7 million years old, shows signs of gas and dust, suggesting potential for planet formation.

Co-author Michal Zajacek highlighted that if material is close enough to the stars but not strongly affected by the black hole’s gravity, planets could form. Researchers predict that the immense gravity of Sagittarius A may merge the two stars within a million years, adding to the understanding of star and planet formation in extreme environments.