The first image of a black hole

Scientific developments

VLTI/Gravity provides first observation of material orbiting close to the point of no return

Simulation of Material Orbiting close to a Black Hole (Press Release Image)

ESO’s exquisitely sensitive GRAVITY instrument has added further evidence to the long-standing assumption that a supermassive black hole lurks in the centre of the Milky Way. New observations show clumps of gas swirling around at about 30% of the speed of light on a circular orbit just outside its event horizon — the first time material has been observed orbiting close to the point of no return, and the most detailed observations yet of material orbiting this close to a black hole.

— Press Release, linked below.

You can also read the original paper in which these conclusions were published:

The first image of a black hole

On April 10, 2019, the first image ever captured of a black hole was presented to the public. But what were the events that lead to this discovery?