Bounds on ultralight bosons from the Event Horizon Telescope observation of Sgr A $$^*$$ ∗

Abstract

Abstract Recent observation of Sagittarius A $$^*$$ ∗ (Sgr A $$^*$$ ∗ ) by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration has uncovered various unanswered questions in black hole (BH) physics. Besides, it may also probe various beyond the Standard Model (BSM) scenarios. One of the most profound possibilities is the search for ultralight bosons (ULBs) using BH superradiance (SR). EHT observations imply that Sgr A $$^*$$ ∗ has a non-zero spin. Using this observation, we derive bounds on the mass of ULBs with purely gravitational interactions. Considering self-interacting ultralight axions, we constrain new regions in the parameter space of decay constant, for a certain spin of Sgr A $$^*$$ ∗ . Future observations of various spinning BHs can improve the present constraints on ULBs.