Black hole set to 'eat a gas cloud'

A gas cloud is being sucked towards the "supermassive" black hole at the heart of our galaxy, and astronomers are anxious to see what will happen.

If the black hole devours the cloud, called G2, X-rays will flare out - giving scientists a rare glimpse of the mysterious, dark core of the Milky Way.

The first moment of collision is predicted in spring this year. Scientists say it could be the black hole's "biggest meal in hundreds of years".

Simulation courtesy of ESO/MPE/M.Schartmann