S0-2 star, G1- and G2-objects and flaring activity of the Milky Way's Galactic Center black hole in 2019

TL;DR

In 2019, the Milky Way's central black hole exhibited unprecedented flaring activity likely caused by material from G1 and G2 objects falling into it, shedding light on black hole feeding mechanisms.

Contribution

This study links the flaring activity of Sgr A* in 2019 to material infall from G1 and G2 objects, proposing a new interaction-driven mechanism.

Findings

Unusually high number of near-infrared flares observed in 2019.

Estimated material shed by G1 and G2 objects and their infall times.

Proposed interaction mechanism triggering increased activity.

Abstract

In 2019, the Galactic center black hole Sgr A* produced an unusually high number of bright near-infrared flares, including the brightest-ever detected flare (Do et al 2019, Gravity Collaboration 2020). We propose that this activity was triggered by the near simultaneous infall of material shed by G1 and G2 objects due to their interaction with the background accretion flow. We discuss mechanisms by which S-stars and G-objects shed material, and estimate both the quantity of material and the infall time to reach the black hole.