Sagittarius A*
Sgr A* is the supermassive black hole (SMBH) residing at the dynamical center of the milky-way, defining the gravitational potential of the Galactic Center.
Key Properties
- Mass: ~4.1–4.3 million solar masses (M_sun).
- Distance: ~26,670 light-years from Solar System.
- Location: Bright radio source in constellation Sagittarius; coincides with infrared source Sagittarius A*.
- Imaging: Shadow and photon ring resolved by Event Horizon Telescope collaboration (2022).
Surrounding Environment
- Stellar Cluster: Dense concentration of young stars, including S-stars on highly eccentric, short-period orbits probing the black hole’s gravity.
- G-Objects: Transient, dust-enshrouded entities exhibiting properties intermediate between stars and gas clouds.
- G-Object Origin: Resolved: G-Objects Near SgrA* Originate from IRS 16SW Binary Stars confirms G-objects result from tidal disruption and interaction of IRS 16SW binary star systems near the galactic center.