Fastest star ever found in Milky Way races around galaxy's black hole

Astronomers using the VLT telescope and GRAVITY instrument discovered star S301 orbiting the black hole Sagittarius A* at speeds up to 25,000 km/s — 8% the speed of light. A full orbit takes 8.7 years, and its closest approach will be 12 Earth-Sun distances. It is the first star that will allow direct measurement of the black hole's spin.

• S301 speed reaches 25,000 km/s — 8% the speed of light
• Orbit around Sagittarius A* takes 8.7 years
• Closest approach is 12 Earth-Sun distances
• Black hole spin measurement expected within 10 years