Beast at galaxy core sits, lacking spin

New observations reinforce quiescent image of Milky Way's central black hole

HEIDELBERG, Germany — If it’s not as dead as a doornail, the gravitational monster at the Milky Way’s center is clearly lethargic. The galaxy’s supermassive black hole barely radiates, and certainly doesn’t hurl jets of material into space — signs that it has been on a starvation diet.