Cosmoview Episode 56: Astronomers Discover Closest Black Hole to Earth
Channel: NOIRLabAstro
Date: 2022-11-15

Astronomers using the International Gemini Observatory, operated by NSF NOIRLab, have discovered the closest-known black hole to Earth. This is the first unambiguous detection of a dormant stellar-mass black hole in the Milky Way. Its close proximity to Earth, a mere 1600 light-years away, offers an intriguing target of study to advance our understanding of the evolution of binary systems.

More information and download options: http://noirlab.edu/public/videos/noirlab2227b/

Credit:
Images and Videos: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/J.Pollard/J. da Silva/Spaceengine/M. Zamani/ T. Müller (MPIA), PanSTARRS DR1 (K. C. Chambers et al. 2016), ESA/Gaia/DPAC (CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO)/NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio/ Walt Feimer (HTSI)/Michael McClare (HTSI)/Dana Berry (Skyworks Digital)/ Michael McClare (HTSI), N. Bartmann  
Music: Stellardrone - Airglow