Credit & Copyright: N. E. Kassim, D. S. Briggs,
T. J. W. Lazio, T. N. LaRosa, J. Imamura
(NRL/RSD)
Explanation:
Tuning in to the center of our Milky Way galaxy, radio astronomers
explore a complex, mysterious place.
A premier high resolution view,
this startlingly beautiful picture
covers a 4x4 degree region around the galactic center.
It was constructed from 1 meter wavelength radio data
obtained by telescopes of the
Very Large Array near
Socorro, New Mexico, USA.
The galactic center
itself is at the edge of the extremely
bright object labeled Sagittarius (Sgr) A, suspected of harboring
a million solar mass black hole.
Along the galactic plane which runs diagonally
through the image are tortured clouds of gas energized by
hot stars and round-shaped supernova remnants (SNRs)
- hallmarks of
a violent and
energetic cosmic environment.
But perhaps most intriguing are
the
arcs, threads, and filaments which
abound in the scene.
Their uncertain origins challenge
present theories of the dynamics of the galactic center.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: radio - Galactic Center - Milky Way
Publications with words: radio - Galactic Center - Milky Way
See also:
- APOD: 2024 November 24 Á Journey to the Center of the Galaxy
- APOD: 2024 November 5 Á Milky Way over Easter Island
- APOD: 2024 August 4 Á Gaia: Here Comes the Sun
- APOD: 2024 July 29 Á Milky Way over Uluru
- APOD: 2024 May 29 Á Stairway to the Milky Way
- APOD: 2024 April 1 Á Swirling Magnetic Field around Our Galaxys Central Black Hole
- APOD: 2023 December 12 Á Aurora and Milky Way over Norway