Scientists propose hunting for Penrose process signatures at Sgr A*

A new arXiv study describes the magnetic Penrose process: neutron decay inside the ergosphere of Sagittarius A* could accelerate protons to PeV energies. The resulting gamma-ray and neutrino signals are too faint for current instruments but should be detectable by upgraded HAWC and IceCube.

• Protons could reach PeV energies — 1000x beyond the Large Hadron Collider
• Neutron decay in the ergosphere yields a proton, electron and neutrino
• The signal is too faint today but upgraded HAWC and IceCube should catch it
• The Penrose process lets a black hole lose mass