Galactic Center Flicker Indicates Black Hole
Explanation:
Why would the center of our Galaxy flicker?
Many astronomers believe the only credible answer involves a
black hole.
During observations of
Sagittarius A* with the orbiting
Chandra X-ray Observatory, the bright
X-ray source at the very
center of our
Milky Way brightened dramatically for a few minutes.
Sagittarius A* is visible as the
bright dot near the center of the
above image.
Since large objects cannot vary quickly,
a small source is implicated in the variation.
Evidence including the
motions of central stars
indicates that the
center of our Galaxy
is a massive place, however, estimated to be over
a million times the mass of our
Sun.
Only one known type of object can fit
so much mass in so small a volume: a
black hole.
This short flicker therefore provides additional evidence that a
black hole does indeed reside at our
Galaxy's center.
If true,
the flicker might have been caused by an object
disrupting as it fell toward the
disruptive monster.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
