A few entries ago (see blog on April 11 2013) I focussed on the topic 0f the amazing black hole at the centre of our Milky Way galaxy, which is estimated to have a mass about 4 million times that of our Sun. 
Recently astronomers have become aware of a gas cloud, called 'G2', close by the black hole being dragged towards it.   The cloud initially was about 3 times the size of Pluto's orbit, with a mass around 3 times that of the Earth.  But as it has accelerated towards the black hole, the tidal effects of the hole's gravity field is stretching the cloud out like spaghetti.  The observations tell us that the front of the cloud has already made its first pass of the black hole, and this part of the cloud is now speeding towards us at around 10 million km per hour (about 1% of the speed of light!).  The above picture shows a simulation of this 'spaghettification process', with the front of the cloud curling around the location of the blackhole.  Below shows an image as the astronomer's are currently seeing the event. 
During the time that the blackhole has been observed, it has been fairly quiescent since no significant material has fallen across the event horizon.  However, simulations suggest that some part of the cloud will fall into the hole, and astronomers are waiting to see how much it will 'light-up'.  However, whatever happens has already happened - about 26,000 years ago - since it takes this time for light from the central part of our galaxy to reach us.

Observed image of the G2 cloud.
Due to the tidal forces stretching
G2, the front of the cloud is now
moving around 500 km per second
faster than its tail

UK Government is, at last, going to invest in Reaction Engines' SABRE engine technology and development (see also blog entries on December 4 2012 and May 3 2012 for more detail) to the tune of £ 60 million!
Reaction Engines was recently visited by George Osborne (Chancellor of the Exchequer) and David Willetts (UK Gov Science Minister) for discussions and to witness the ground testing of the new technology. £ 35 million will be released during 2014-15, and a further £ 25 million in 2015 - 16.  Although this interest and financial contribution is very welcome, about 4 times this amount will be required to complete the development phase.  Spin-off applications for the engine's heat exchanger technology will be also be sought.   Picture shows Alan Bond (CEO Reaction Engines) on the far left, with George Osborne.
This writer wishes Alan and his team every success in the coming years of hard work in getting this technology off the test stand and into the sky!