For two decades, astronomers have been studying a mysterious object called X7 near the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way. X7, a peculiar cloud of dust and gas, has intrigued researchers with its strange shape and behavior. Recent findings, published in The Astrophysical Journal, suggest that this enigmatic object may have formed after the collision of two stars.

Using data from the Galactic Center Orbit Initiative and the Keck Observatory, scientists from UCLA and the Keck Observatory observed significant changes in X7 over time. Initially, X7 had a comet-like shape, but it has stretched dramatically under the gravitational influence of the black hole, Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*). The team believes X7 will likely disintegrate completely as it approaches the black hole in the coming decades.

X7 weighs about 50 Earth masses and follows an orbital path around Sgr A* that would take 170 years to complete. However, it’s unlikely to finish this orbit. The researchers estimate that by 2036, X7 will reach its closest approach to Sgr A*, after which the black hole’s immense tidal forces will tear it apart.

Tidal forces occur when the gravitational pull on the side of an object closest to a massive body, such as a black hole, is significantly stronger than the pull on the opposite side. As X7 moves closer to Sgr A*, these forces are elongating and distorting it. Currently, X7 is traveling at a staggering speed of 700 miles per second, accelerating as it falls toward the black hole.

The origins of X7 remain a topic of debate, but one prominent theory is that it formed during a stellar collision. According to lead author Anna Ciurlo of UCLA, the collision of two stars near Sgr A* may have ejected a cloud of dust and gas, creating X7. This process is common near black holes, where stars can merge and produce ejected material.

X7 shares some characteristics with other objects near Sgr A* known as G objects. These entities resemble clouds of gas but behave more like stars. However, X7’s shape and velocity changes are far more dramatic than those of G objects, making it a unique phenomenon.

Astronomers will continue to monitor X7 as it evolves under the influence of Sgr A*. The study underscores the capabilities of the Keck Observatory in capturing the dynamics of extreme environments, providing valuable insights into the forces at play near supermassive black holes.