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A size of ∼1 au for the radio source Sgr A* at the centre of the Milky Way

Author

Listed:
  • Zhi-Qiang Shen

    (Shanghai Astronomical Observatory)

  • K. Y. Lo

    (National Radio Astronomy Observatory)

  • M.-C. Liang

    (California Institute of Technology)

  • Paul T. P. Ho

    (Harvard-Smithsonian CfA
    Institute of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Academia Sinica
    Astrophysics, Academia Sinica)

  • J.-H. Zhao

    (Harvard-Smithsonian CfA)

Abstract

Your nearest black hole? Most galaxies are thought to have a supermassive black hole at their centres, but proving it is very difficult. The centre of our own Galaxy, occupied by the compact radio source Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) is a good place to start looking as it is so close to us, just 26,000 light-years from the Sun. A new short-wavelength radio image of Sgr A* has made it possible establish the intrinsic size of Sgr A* for the first time. It is 1 astronomical unit (the Sun-Earth distance) across. This suggests that its mass density is more than 10 orders of magnitude greater than any other known cosmic object, well into supermassive black hole territory.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhi-Qiang Shen & K. Y. Lo & M.-C. Liang & Paul T. P. Ho & J.-H. Zhao, 2005. "A size of ∼1 au for the radio source Sgr A* at the centre of the Milky Way," Nature, Nature, vol. 438(7064), pages 62-64, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:438:y:2005:i:7064:d:10.1038_nature04205
    DOI: 10.1038/nature04205
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