Webb and MeerKAT Achieve Unprecedented Detail of Milky Way's Core, Revealing Magnetic Secrets

The James Webb Space Telescope and the MeerKAT radio telescope have joined forces to capture the most detailed image ever obtained of the Milky Way's core, the location of the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A*. This region, situated in the Sagittarius constellation, is characterized by extreme phenomena, including star clusters, gas clouds, and strong magnetic fields. Webb's observations have unveiled filament-like structures that are shaped by magnetic fields, which appear to be suppressing star formation in certain areas. The observations also spotted two massive stars in the process of forming, along with five smaller protostars. MeerKAT's contribution was a high-resolution radio image that maps the physical structures of the galactic nucleus with remarkable precision. This collaborative effort provides new insights into the complex processes occurring at the heart of our galaxy.