Breakthrough Listen Reports Candidate Millisecond Pulsar Near Sagittarius A*

Overview

• The paper, led by Karen I. Perez, details one of the deepest radio searches of the Galactic Center and appears in The Astrophysical Journal.
• The candidate, referred to as BLPSR, shows a rotational period of 8.19 milliseconds and lies near the Milky Way’s central black hole.
• The team emphasizes that BLPSR remains unconfirmed pending further timing and positional measurements.
• If verified, a pulsar near Sagittarius A* would offer exceptionally precise tests of General Relativity through measurable timing anomalies and delays.
• Breakthrough Listen has released its observations publicly and initiated follow-up campaigns, inviting worldwide independent analyses using facilities such as Green Bank and other partner telescopes.