A baby star that is tens of thousands of years younger than the human
species has been discovered next to a massive black hole, which is a rather
perilous position.
Scientists initially believed that the infant star, known as X3a, shouldn't
be able to exist because it is so near to the enormous supermassive black
hole Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) at the center of our Milky Way.
It is believed that the black hole attracts planets, gas masses, and stars,
engulfing them in its powerful gravitation.
The star, according to the experts, formed in a dust cloud circling the
black hole and, after it had done so, drew nearer to the black hole.
Hard X-ray and UV radiation, which work to prevent the creation of stars
like our sun, are abundant in the black hole's immediate vicinity, making it
a very inhospitable environment.
Only ancient, evolved stars were thought to be able to reside in the area
of the supermassive black hole over billions of years.
But around Sgr A* 20 years ago, several very immature stars were
discovered. It is still unclear how or where these stars originated.
The "youth conundrum" refers to the occurrence of very youthful stars in
close proximity to the supermassive black hole.
The baby star X3a, which is 15 times heavier and 10 times larger than our
sun, could now bridge the distance between juvenile stars nearby Sgr A* and
star formation.
To develop in the near vicinity of the black hole, X3a requires particular
circumstances.
Dr. Florian Peißker, the lead author, stated, "As it turns out, there is an
area a few light years away from the black hole that meets the requirements
for star formation. This area, which is a ring of gas and dust, is suitably
cool and radiation-shielded."
Clouds with hundreds of solar masses can develop in an atmosphere with low
temperatures and great densities.
