Astronomers discover Milky Way’s biggest stellar black hole

They don't seem too clear on the science they're reporting, but if I'm understanding it right, this is supposed to be the largest stellar origin black hole. The fact that Sagittarius A* is just a bit under 4.3 million solar masses, which is a bit over 33, was my first thought, too.

Re: Astronomers discover Milky Way’s biggest stellar black hole

#7

Post by aurareturn » Tue, Apr 16, 2024, 9:11 AM UTC

qrios wrote: post #3

„Size“ is misleading. 33 solar masses is in fact small for a black hole. Sigatarius A is still the biggest in the Milky Way.

"Stellar" means star.

Re: Astronomers discover Milky Way’s biggest stellar black hole

#8

Post by tokai » Tue, Apr 16, 2024, 9:23 AM UTC

qrios wrote: post #3

„Size“ is misleading. 33 solar masses is in fact small for a black hole. Sigatarius A is still the biggest in the Milky Way.

Sigatarius A is not a stellar black hole now is it?

Re: Astronomers discover Milky Way’s biggest stellar black hole

#9

Post by devoutsalsa » Tue, Apr 16, 2024, 9:26 AM UTC

tokai wrote: post #8

qrios wrote: post #3

„Size“ is misleading. 33 solar masses is in fact small for a black hole. Sigatarius A is still the biggest in the Milky Way.

Sigatarius A is not a stellar black hole now is it?

We don't know how supermassive blackholes form. It's a bit of a mystery.

Re: Astronomers discover Milky Way’s biggest stellar black hole

#10

Post by tokai » Tue, Apr 16, 2024, 9:34 AM UTC

devoutsalsa wrote: post #9

tokai wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sigatarius A is not a stellar black hole now is it?

We don't know how supermassive blackholes form. It's a bit of a mystery.

That doesn't matter, you are toying with semantics. If astronomers say stellar black hole, they don't mean supermassive black holes at galactic centers. Even if Sagittarius A* was initially a stellar black hole, its more now.