Sagittarius A*

Saggitarius A*
Saggitarius A* image by Chandra X-Ray Observatory
Observation data
TypeRadio source
Right ascension 17h 45m 40.05s
Declination±−29° 00′ 27.9″
Distance25900±1400 light years
ConstellationSaggitarius
Physical characteristics
Notable featuresRadio source in the center of the Milky Way
Other designationsSgr A*
See also: Diffuse nebula, Lists of nebulae

Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) is a bright astronomical radio source at the center of the Milky Way. It is in the direction of the constellations Sagittarius and Scorpius.

The radio source is part of a larger astronomical feature known as Sagittarius A. Sagittarius A* is thought to be a supermassive black hole,[1][2][3] like those that are at the centers of most spiral and elliptical galaxies. Observations of the star S2 in orbit around Sagittarius A* were used to show the presence of the Milky Way's central supermassive black hole. This led to the conclusion that Sagittarius A* is the site of that black hole.[4][5] Another star, S8, is orbiting Sagittarius A* along with many other stars. A star known as S14 has an extremely elliptical orbit[6]and a star named S4716 has an orbital period of only 4 years.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Reynolds 2008[broken anchor]
  2. ↑ Overbye, Dennis (8 June 2015). "Black Hole Hunters". NASA. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  3. ↑ Overbye, Dennis; Corum, Jonathan; Drakeford, Jason (8 June 2015). "Video: Peering Into a Black Hole". New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  4. ↑ Henderson, Mark (December 9, 2008). "Astronomers confirm black hole at the heart of the Milky Way". Times Online. Archived from the original on 2008-12-16. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
  5. ↑ Reynolds C. 2008. Astrophysics: bringing black holes into focus. Nature 455 (7209): 39–40. Bibcode:2008Natur.455...39R. doi:10.1038/455039a. PMID 18769426.
  6. ↑ "Orbital parameters of stars orbiting Sagittarius A*". Physics Forums: Science Discussion, Homework Help, Articles. 2016-03-02. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  7. ↑ Sabha, N.; Eckart, A.; Merritt, D.; Zamaninasab, M.; Witzel, G.; García-Marín, M.; Jalali, B.; Valencia-S, M.; Yazici, S.; Buchholz, R.; Shahzamanian, B. (2012-09-01). "The S-star cluster at the center of the Milky Way - On the nature of diffuse NIR emission in the inner tenth of a parsec". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 545: A70. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201219203. ISSN 0004-6361.

Other websites

Media related to Sagittarius A* at Wikimedia Commons