Publications in peer-reviewed astronomical journals or official space agency announcements

Astronomers Discover Largest Stellar Black Hole, 33 Times Sun's Mass, Within 2000 Light-Years

Apr 16, 2024, 07:49 AM

Astronomers have recently discovered the largest stellar black hole in the Milky Way, identified as being 33 times the mass of the Sun and located less than 2000 light-years from Earth. This significant find, described as a 'sleeping giant,' was facilitated by data from the ESA's Gaia mission. It marks the first time a stellar-origin black hole of this size has been observed in our galaxy. The discovery involved contributions from London astronomers and highlights the black hole's proximity, making it a notable topic of study due to its massive size and relative closeness.