The dusty cloud G2 passes the supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way

This video sequence shows the motion of the dusty cloud G2 as it closes in on, and then passes, the supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way.

These new observations with ESO’s VLT have shown that the cloud appears to have survived its close encounter with the black hole and remains a compact object that is not significantly extended.

In this sequence observations of the cloud during the period from 2006 and 2014 are shown. The final two images are from February and September 2014, before and after the object passed closest to the black hole. The cross marks the position of the supermassive black hole.