Astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery at the heart of our galaxy. Researchers found strange clouds of cold hydrogen—dubbed ‘ice cube clouds‘—hidden inside the Milky Way’s massive Fermi bubbles. These giant orbs of superhot plasma hover above and below our galaxy’s center and have long puzzled scientists.
Typically, scientists expect nothing but scorching hot gas inside the Fermi bubbles. The discovery of cold hydrogen clouds where they shouldn’t exist has stunned the astronomy community. These clouds may serve as cosmic clues, helping experts pinpoint when the Milky Way’s supermassive black hole last erupted.
What Are the Fermi Bubbles?
Fermi bubbles are enormous, twin lobes of plasma stretching 25,000 light-years above and below the Milky Way. They likely formed from explosive activity near the galaxy’s central black hole. The presence of cold hydrogen inside these fiery regions suggests a dramatic event occurred in our galaxy’s recent past—possibly a huge black hole outburst that blasted material outward, forming the bubbles.
Why This Matters
This discovery challenges our understanding of galactic centers and black hole activity. It could help scientists learn more about the Milky Way’s history and the dynamic forces at play within our galaxy.
Sources:
space.com
