Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2002-10-18
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
13 pages, 3 figures, scheduled for publication in Nature on 17 Oct 2002
Scientific paper
10.1038/nature01121
Measurements of stellar velocities and variable X-ray emission near the centre of the Milky Way have provided the strongest evidence so far that the dark mass concentrations seen in many galactic nuclei are likely supermassive black holes, but have not yet excluded several alternative configurations. Here we report ten years of high resolution astrometric imaging that allow us to trace two thirds of the orbit of the star currently closest to the compact radio source and massive black hole candidate SgrA*. In particular, we have observed both peri- and apocentre passages. Our observations show that the star is on a bound, highly elliptical Keplerian orbit around SgrA*, with an orbital period of 15.2 years and a peri-centre distance of only 17 light hours. The orbital elements require an enclosed point mass of 3.7+-1.5x10^6 solar masses. The data exclude with high confidence that the central dark mass consists of a cluster of astrophysical objects or massive, degenerate fermions, and strongly constrain the central density structure.
Ageorges Nancy
Alexander Tal
Brandner Wolfgang
Eckart Andreas
Gendron Eric
No associations
LandOfFree
Closest Star Seen Orbiting the Supermassive Black Hole at the Centre of the Milky Way does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Closest Star Seen Orbiting the Supermassive Black Hole at the Centre of the Milky Way, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Closest Star Seen Orbiting the Supermassive Black Hole at the Centre of the Milky Way will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-258631