Illustration by Lynette Cook for Gemini Observatory
Spectacular Star Cluster May Host Black Hole Missing Link
This artist’s concept shows an extremely exaggerated-size version of the intermediate-mass black hole that may exist at the center of Omega Centauri. It has the orbital lines of nearby stars drawn in for reference only. Close to the black hole, star motions are faster than those farther away. Such differential velocities are one telltale signature of a black hole’s existence. Most of the clusters stars are cooler stars with a scattering of bluer hotter stars mixed in.
