The James Webb Space Telescope has revealed that gas surrounding Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way, is surprisingly rich in heavy elements.

Researchers at McGill University found chemical similarities between this gas and nearby stars, suggesting they may share a common origin. These metals influence how gas cools and flows toward the black hole, offering clues to why it consumes matter so slowly. However, scientists warn that local environmental conditions can distort these emissions, making them unreliable evidence of past black hole outbursts.

Thank you for listening to Bedtime Astronomy — your guide to the cosmos. New episodes on space exploration, NASA missions & the latest astronomy breakthroughs.

This episode includes AI-generated content.