Milky Way’s central black hole puts Einstein's theory of general relativity to the test

Detailed UCLA-led analysis of a star’s orbit near supermassive black hole gives a look into how gravity behaves.

Science & Tech 14:16 26.07.2019

Almost a century later, Albert Einstein published his iconic theory of General relativity. Now, scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles have tested Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity in the crucible of the monstrous black hole at the center of our Milky Way galaxy and found it rock solid.

Scientists followed a star orbiting so near the black hole that the black hole’s intense gravity influences the light it emits. The impact, a gravitational redshift, matched precisely what Einstein’s hypotheses of special and general relativity foresee.

Scientists followed the star named SO-2. In any case, the general theory of relativity says that the light it transmits will lose energy and become redder when it reaches Earth, which is around 26,000 light-years from the galactic center.

What’s more, the special theory of relativity, which clarifies why people traveling at different speeds see time and space differently, says that the speed of the star will make the light bluer when moving toward us and redder when moving ceaselessly.

Read: Supernova observation first of its kind using NASA satellite

Scientists used 24 years of observations and observed both effects. They found: when the star becomes closer to the black hole, it loses light with 0.03 percent of its energy while climbing out of the gravitational well of the black hole.

Also, during its closest approach- when it was traveling at 16 million miles per hour, the redshifts and blueshifts perfectly matched the predictions of special relativity.

The outcomes provide a better check on general relativity and making it the most detailed study ever conducted on supermassive black holes and Einstein’s theory of general relativity. Also, the measurements provide a more accurate mass for the black hole at the center of the galaxy — 3.984 million times the mass of the sun — and pinpointed its distance at 7,971 parsecs (25,916 light-years).

Read more: Lunar eclipse to mark launch of Apollo 11 mission, 50 years on

UC Berkeley’s Jessica Lu, an assistant professor of astronomy, said, “The measurement of gravitational redshift around a supermassive black hole is the beginning of a new era of general testing relativity. Our galactic center is a special place, a unique place because we can study in detail the physics and astrophysics of a supermassive black hole. It is almost impossible to do that in any other galaxy.”

“The star SO-2 is orbiting on a very eccentric orbit: At its farthest from SagA*, it’s 16.5 times farther than its closest approach. It really dips in, whips around the black hole and then heads back out and hangs out far away for quite a while. That period where it passes through closest approach is concise but essential to measure.”

Scientists are excited to again put relativity to the test by astrometrically measuring the precession of the orbit of SO-2 — that is, gradual rotation of the orbital plane predicted by general relativity.

IEPF issued a statement regarding Azerbaijani children at the UN Human Rights Council

News line

"Türkiye welcomes Azerbaijan's efforts for peace in South Caucasus"
14:53 27.05.2025
Trump could exit Ukraine talks
13:56 27.05.2025
North Korea says US 'Golden Dome' risks 'space nuclear war'
12:01 27.05.2025
Hikmat Hajiyev meets with NATO Deputy Secretary General in Brussels
11:10 23.05.2025
Foreign diplomats visit Agdam Conference Center
21:35 21.05.2025
New Secondary School Opened in Gakh by Heydar Aliyev Foundation
21:22 21.05.2025
Azerbaijani and Turkish Presidents Meet One-on-One in Nakhchivan
21:03 21.05.2025
Opening ceremony of World Cup held in Baku
20:57 21.05.2025
Pashinyan, EU Envoys Discuss Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace
19:52 21.05.2025
New Deputy Appointed to Nakhchivan Education Minister
19:20 21.05.2025
Nakhchivan marks Türkiye’s National Sovereignty and Children’s Day
17:42 21.05.2025
F.Shafiyev: Azerbaijan-Türkiye unity is example of effective cooperation
17:35 21.05.2025
Azerbaijan to build circular power link in Karabakh
17:28 21.05.2025
Azerbaijan, Italy discuss prospects for defense cooperation
17:19 21.05.2025
Ilham Aliyev addresses conference on Western Azerbaijan in Ankara
17:14 21.05.2025
Ilham Aliyev: Azerbaijan and Türkiye uphold international law for regional stability
17:03 21.05.2025
President of Cuba congratulates President Ilham Aliyev
16:58 21.05.2025
Azerbaijani President: Digitalization of the Middle Corridor is a priority
16:53 21.05.2025
Erdogan: Ilham Aliyev will be remembered as a peacemaker
16:48 21.05.2025
TDT: Azerbaijan is very important for the development of the Turkic world
16:43 21.05.2025
Georgian minister discusses cooperation with Azerbaijani ambassador
16:35 21.05.2025
Azerbaijan, Türkiye mull prospects for development of military cooperation
16:29 21.05.2025
Azerbaijan and Croatia hold political consultations
16:24 21.05.2025
GlobE Network work plan for 2025 approved in Baku
16:18 21.05.2025
Talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia may be held at level of heads of state
12:21 19.05.2025
A Meeting of Nobles exhibition to open in Shusha
12:15 19.05.2025
Azerbaijan increases construction by over 2026
12:09 19.05.2025
How does space "sound"? -NASA created "music" from the sounds of black hole
12:03 19.05.2025
Azerbaijan joins Fez Festival of World Sacred Music
11:57 19.05.2025
Azerbaijan’s parliamentary delegation starts official visit to Spain
11:53 19.05.2025
EU countries agree on big defence fund with Azerbaijan- Diplomat Says
11:48 19.05.2025
Azerbaijan,Türkiye Hold Talks on Education Sector Cooperation
11:42 19.05.2025
Azerbaijani delegation attends Russia-Islamic World: Kazan Forum 2025
11:36 19.05.2025
The official opening of the Azerbaijani carpet exhibition took place in Chisinau
11:31 19.05.2025
Press review of I.Aliyev's participation in the 6th Summit of the "European Political Union"
11:25 19.05.2025
Azerbaijani delegation participated in the International Economic Forum
11:21 19.05.2025
Azerbaijan to be represented at Astana International Forum
11:16 19.05.2025
New agreement between Azerbaijan and Pakistan in the field of plant safety
11:14 19.05.2025
Ilham Aliyev: Azerbaijani healthcare has made significant steps along a long way of development
11:08 19.05.2025
Azerbaijani Ombudsman issues appeal on Human Rights
11:03 19.05.2025
Hamısı