The European Space Agency (ESA) announced the results of the observations made by the James Webb Space Telescope at the center of the Milky Way on August 11, 2026.
The international research team examined the star IRS 3, located just 0.55 light-years away from Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy, with James Webb’s powerful infrared instruments.
WATER WAS DETECTED FOR THE FIRST TIME
Analyzing data obtained with James Webb’s MIRI (Mid Infrared Instrument), scientists revealed distinctive signatures of oxygen-rich dust around IRS 3.
However, the most striking result of the research was the detection of water. For the first time, scientists have detected clear traces of water in the envelope of gas and dust surrounding IRS 3.
What makes the discovery important is the environment in which water exists. IRS 3 is astronomically close to the giant black hole at the center of the Milky Way, and the region is exposed to extremely strong radiation.
Despite this, the fact that molecular material can continue to exist here provides important information about the conditions in galaxy centers.
NOT IN THE BLACK HOLE, BUT NEAR IT
The discovery does not mean that there is water inside the black hole. Water was detected in material surrounding the star IRS 3, about 0.55 light-years away from Sagittarius A*. ESA also announced the discovery with the phrase “dust and water near the giant black hole.”
IRS 3 is a giant star nearing the end of its life. According to researchers’ calculations, the star is approximately 72 million years old and has a mass approximately 6 times that of the Sun. It was determined that the star ejected a dense amount of matter into space and created a large dust envelope around it.
IMPORTANT FOR FUTURE STARS AND PLANETS
The research shows that despite the extremely harsh conditions around supermassive black holes, old stars can continue to scatter dust and other material into space.
These substances are among the cosmic raw materials that can later be used in the formation of new stars and planetary systems.
According to ESA, the findings indicate that stars can continue to enrich their surroundings even in galactic centres, which were previously thought to be extremely unfavorable for such processes.
