Famous picture of black hole in our galaxy might not be accurate, research says

A recent study has raised questions about the accuracy of the first image of the supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*), captured by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) in 2022. The original image depicted a doughnut-shaped ring with a bright orange area surrounding a dark center, representing the black hole. However, researchers from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan suggest that the actual shape of the accretion disk around the black hole may be elongated rather than circular. They argue that the eastern half of the disk appears brighter and is rotating at approximately 60% of the speed of light. The researchers believe that the ring-like appearance in the original image may have resulted from errors in the imaging analysis process, leading to potential artefacts in the data interpretation. Their findings are detailed in a paper published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, challenging the extensive research that went into creating the original image.

- New research questions the accuracy of the first image of Sagittarius A*.

- The original image may misrepresent the shape of the black hole's accretion disk.

- Researchers suggest the disk is elongated and rotates at 60% of the speed of light.

- Errors in imaging analysis may have led to artefacts in the original image.

- Findings are published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.