Astronomers discover tornado-like filaments around Milky Way's center

Astronomers have found swirling filaments of matter that resemble tornadoes around the Milky Way's supermassive black hole, known as Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*). This discovery gives scientists a clearer understanding of the process of creation and destruction happening at the galaxy's center. Using a powerful network of telescopes in Chile called ALMA, researchers could examine the central region of the Milky Way, known as the central molecular zone (CMZ), with much better detail. "These slim filaments are an important part of material circulation," said team member Xing Lu. These structures are violent streams of gas that quickly dissipate and distribute materials into the surrounding environment. For a long time, the CMZ has been recognized for its turbulent clouds of dust and gas. However, the forces driving these activities were not well understood. The researchers were surprised to discover the long and narrow filaments that were distinct from known star-forming regions. ALMA helped identify these filaments by tracking certain molecules, particularly silicon monoxide, which provided clues about energetic shockwaves in the CMZ. The filaments were observed at an impressive resolution, allowing researchers to see features as small as 0.033 light-years. These new structures are notably different from other gas filaments in the CMZ. They do not exhibit the same speed as typical outflows and do not seem connected to dust emissions. Furthermore, they are not balanced by the gravitational forces acting on them, raising questions about their origin. The team suggests that these filaments may form when shockwaves impact the surrounding material. Specific emissions from silicon monoxide and organic molecules observed in the region support this theory. As the filaments form and disperse, they release materials back into the CMZ, creating a cycle of renewal. Discovering these filaments at such a fine scale marks a significant advancement in our understanding of the Milky Way's center. The research could help clarify the complex processes within this dynamic region of our galaxy. Future observations by ALMA could provide even more insights into these structures and their role in the galaxy’s evolution.