Astronomers discover 'doomed cloud' on way to supermassive black hole

Astronomers in Germany say they have discovered a giant gas cloud - several times the mass of the Earth - which is accelerating towards the black hole at the centre of the milky way.

It is the first time that experts have been able to track and observe such a moment or, as the scientists tracking the event note: "This is the first time ever that the approach of such a doomed cloud to a supermassive black hole has been observed."

"Doomed cloud"…We like that.

The European Southern Observatory has released a video showing how they expect the cloud will heat up and emit powerful X-rays as it gets closer over the next few years, before it disappears.