'The strange flares of Sagittarius A': James Webb uncovers a Milky Way shocker

Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh

Firework Black Hole

Sagittarius A* erupts with constant flares, from quick flickers to months-long outbursts, revealing a wildly unpredictable cosmic spectacle.

Magnetic Chaos

The black hole’s turbulent plasma and twisted magnetic fields trigger massive bursts of energy, much like solar flares—but on steroids.

Unpredictable Patterns

Despite intense study, no pattern emerges. Each observation reveals a completely new and unexpected display of flaring activity.

Supersonic Particles

Magnetic reconnection events hurl particles near light speed, producing sudden, blinding flashes before the energy fades into darkness.

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Double Wavelengths

Using JWST’s infrared vision, scientists saw flares shifting at different wavelengths, providing the first clues about energy loss over time.

Plasma Storms

The accretion disk churns like a raging cosmic river, with small ripples causing faint flickers and tidal waves sparking massive flares.

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Nonstop Eruptions

Over 48 hours of JWST observation, Sagittarius A* never stopped flaring—sometimes five to six major bursts per day.

Time Delays

Scientists found flares change brightness at different wavelengths seconds apart, hinting at hidden physics in black hole plasma.

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Endless Mystery

A 24-hour uninterrupted JWST study may reveal whether these flares repeat in cycles or if Sagittarius A is pure chaos*.