New Analysis Challenges Accuracy of Milky Way's Black Hole Image

Japanese astronomers propose that the original 2022 image of Sagittarius A* may not accurately depict its structure.

The original image of Sagittarius A*, released in 2022 by the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration, shows a circular accretion disk around the black hole.
Researchers from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan suggest the image's ring-like structure may be an artifact of the imaging process.
The new analysis indicates the accretion disk may be elongated with one side brighter, possibly due to Doppler effects from its rapid rotation.
Both the original and re-analyzed images are based on complex radio interferometry data, which can lead to different interpretations.
The Event Horizon Telescope team is preparing a response to these findings, which could further refine our understanding of black hole imaging.