'Ice cube' clouds discovered at the galaxy's center shouldn't exist — and they hint at a recent black hole explosion

Astronomers found cold hydrogen gas clouds within the Fermi bubbles, massive structures of superheated plasma extending from the Milky Way's center. These unexpected cold clouds, 13 to 91 light-years across, have survived in an extreme environment. Scientists believe they are remnants ejected from the galaxy's center millions of years ago. This discovery suggests a recent violent outburst from our galaxy's central black hole, potentially helping to determine the age of the Fermi bubbles and revealing insights into the Milky Way's active history.