[The Swansong of the Galactic Center Source X7: An Extreme Example of Tidal Evolution near the Supermassive Black Hole](https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/acb344) Scientists shared two decades of new high-resolution data on a feature called X7. This feature is made up of gas and dust, and it's located near a supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy. Using specialized imaging techniques, the scientists were able to estimate X7's orbit and observe changes in its shape, mass, and movement over time. They found that X7 is on a path that will bring it closest to the black hole in 2036, and it's not associated with any other objects nearby. Over the years, X7 has become longer, maintained its orientation, changed its velocity, and remained bright and hot, which suggests it has a consistent mass of about 50 Earths. The scientists believe that X7 is the result of gas and dust ejected from a collision between two objects in a binary system. They also propose that the tidal forces from the central black hole are affecting X7's shape and movement. Overall, this study sheds new light on the dynamics of gas and dust near supermassive black holes and helps us better understand how galaxies evolve over time.