Tag Archive for 'Sagittarius A*'

The upper two panels of this graphic represent a possible explanation for a recent increase in X-ray flares from Sagittarius A* seen by three X-ray telescopes. As part of a long monitoring campaign, astronomers observed the black hole as a mysterious object called G2 appeared to pass close to the black hole. The timing of G2’s passage could suggest that material from G2 caused the surge in X-ray activity, but it is also possible that this unrelated behavior of Sagittarius A*. The bottom panel is a view of the region around the black hole where red, green, and blue represent low, medium, and high-energy X-rays detected by NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory. Sagittarius A* itself is not visible in this image, but is embedded in the white dot at the end of the arrow. Image credit: NASA / CXC / MPE / G.Ponti et al. / M.Weiss.

X-Ray Observations of Milky Way’s Supermassive Black Hole Reveal Unusual Activity

Sep 24, 2015 by News Staff

A long monitoring campaign of the Milky Way’s black hole, called Sagittarius A*, has revealed some unusual activity. Typically relatively quiet, the...

X-ray view of the central region of our Milky Way Galaxy. This image was put together in a new study by compiling all observations of this region that were performed with ESA’s XMM-Newton, adding up to over one month of monitoring in total. The image combines data collected at energies from 0.5 to 2 keV (shown in red), 2 to 4.5 keV (shown in green) and 4.5 to 12 keV (shown in blue). It spans about 2.5 degrees across, equivalent to about 1,000 light-years. Image credit: ESA / XMM-Newton / G. Ponti et al.

XMM-Newton Snaps Stunning X-ray Portraits of Milky Way’s Central Region

Aug 22, 2015 by News Staff

New images from ESA’s XMM-Newton X-ray Observatory reveal some of the most intense processes taking place at the hearth of our Milky Way Galaxy. X-ray...

This composite image shows the motion of the dusty cloud G2 as it closes in, and then passes, Sagittarius A* - the Milky Way’s supermassive black hole. Image credit: A. Eckart / ESO.

G2: Astronomers Observe Mysterious Dusty Cloud at Milky Way’s Center

Mar 29, 2015 by News Staff

A group of astronomers headed by Dr Andreas Eckart from the University of Cologne, Germany, has made the best observations so far of a dusty red object...

This image shows the supermassive black hole Sgr A* and the region around it. The inset shows Sgr A* and G2. Image credit: NASA / CXC / MIT / F.K. Baganoff et al. / E. Slawik / G. Witzel et al.

Scientists Solve Mystery of Strange Object at Milky Way Galaxy’s Center

Nov 4, 2014 by News Staff

A dusty red object at the heart of our Milky Way Galaxy called G2 is a pair of binary stars that merged together, according to a team of researchers led...

A jet from the supermassive black hole in the center of Milky Way Galaxy. Image credit: X-ray – NASA / CXC / UCLA / Z. Li et al; radio – NRAO / VLA.

Chandra Captures Jet from Supermassive Black Hole in Milky Way’s Center

Nov 21, 2013 by News Staff

Astronomers used data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Very Large Array radio telescope to detect a jet from Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*),...

This image shows Sagittarius A* and the surrounding region. Image credit: NASA / CXC / MIT / F. Baganoff / R. Shcherbakov et al.

Supermassive Black Hole at Milky Way’s Center Erupted Two Million Years Ago

Sep 25, 2013 by News Staff

Astronomers led by Prof Joss Bland-Hawthorn from the University of Sydney have found evidence that the supermassive black hole at the heart of our galaxy,...

This is an artist's impression of Sagittarius A* (NASA / CXC / M.Weiss).

Chandra Peers into Super-Heated Gas around Supermassive Black Hole Sagittarius A*

Sep 2, 2013 by News Staff

An international team of astronomers using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory has taken a major step in understanding why gas near the Milky Way’s...

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