This black hole flipped its magnetic field

Astronomers have observed an unexpected reversal of the magnetic field around the M87* black hole, located 55 million light-years away. Initially imaged in 2017 with properties matching theoretical predictions, the black hole's magnetic field dramatically shifted in 2018 and completely flipped by 2021. This challenges existing models, as researchers expected stability given the black hole's massive size—6 billion times larger than our sun. Using the Event Horizon Telescope, scientists analyzed polarized light from the surrounding accretion disk, revealing this surprising change that forces astronomers to reconsider how black holes interact with surrounding material.