Professor Tsevi Mazeh, a former fellow at the Israel Institute for Advanced Studies and organizer of the "Big Data and Planets" research group, has been awarded the prestigious Israel Prize in the field of physics research for 2024. This esteemed recognition comes in light of his significant contributions to the discovery of the Milky Way's second-largest known black hole.

Working alongside an international team of scientists, including researchers from Tel Aviv University, Professor Mazeh played a pivotal role in identifying an extraordinary black hole located approximately 1,500 light-years away from Earth. This remarkable celestial object, dubbed Gaia BH3, boasts a mass 33 times greater than that of the sun, making it the heaviest known black hole within a binary star system.

The discovery, which has garnered attention across the scientific community, sheds new light on our understanding of black holes and their prevalence in the Milky Way galaxy. Utilizing data from the Gaia spacecraft, launched by the European Space Agency in 2013, Professor Mazeh and his colleagues were able to pinpoint this exceptional black hole, which surpasses the mass of other known black holes in our galaxy.

Gaia BH3's binary star system presents a unique opportunity for astronomers to study the dynamics of black holes and their interactions with companion stars. The discovery, published in "Astronomy & Astrophysics" journal, underscores the importance of collaborative research efforts in advancing our knowledge of the cosmos.

Reflecting on the significance of this discovery, Professor Mazeh remarked, "It is amazing how humankind manages to navigate the vast expanses of the universe and discover such mysterious objects." He expressed confidence that the findings will catalyze further exploration and foster a deeper understanding of black holes' role in shaping the cosmic landscape.