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X-ray, Radio, & Infrared Images of Sagittarius A*(Credit: Chandra X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; Swift X-ray: NASA/GSFC/Swift; IR: NASA/HST/STScI; Radio: EHT Collaboration)
These graphics show X-ray data from Chandra depicting hot gas that was blown away from massive stars near the Milky Way's central supermassive black hole known as Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*). Two infrared images at different wavelengths from Hubble reveal stars and cool gas. The new image of Sgr A* from the Event Horizon Telescope, based on data obtained in April 2017, is also included. This latter image shows the area close to the "event horizon," the boundary of a black hole from which nothing can escape. By combining EHT data with those from NASA telescopes and others on the ground, astronomers are learning more about Sgr A* and how it interacts with its environment.
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Light curves of Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*)(Credit: McGill University/H. Boyce, D. Haggard; EHT Collaboration; NASA/CXC/Swift/NuSTAR; ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO); ASIAA/SAO/SMA)
Changes in X-ray and radio brightness of Sgr A* with time, for three separate observations on April 6, 7 and 11th, 2017. The variations are shown for X-rays (Chandra, Swift, NuSTAR), and radio (EHT, Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and Submillimeter Array (SMA)). The researchers caught two X-ray flares during these observations, a faint one seen with Chandra and Swift, and a moderately bright one seen with Chandra and NuSTAR. The two flares are highlighted in lightly shaded regions. X-ray flares with a similar intensity to the brighter one are regularly observed with Chandra, but this is the first time that the EHT has been simultaneously observing Sgr A*. The intensity and variability observed with the EHT, ALMA and the SMA increase in the few hours immediately after the brighter X-ray flare, a phenomenon not seen in radio observations a few days earlier. Paper II of the newly-released set of EHT papers includes the size of the different variations.
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3D Printable Files: Sagittarius A* EHT Close-up Tactile Plate (3D Print Credit: NASA/CXC/A. Jubett, K.Arcand et al., using software by Tactile Universe/N. Bonne & C. Krawczyk & Blender; Photo Credit: EHT Collaboration)
This tactile plate depicts the center of the Milky Way at very close proximity to the central supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A*, as a physical relief map based on the intensity of the radio data captured by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT). The file for this plate can be downloaded and 3D-printed for learners to touch.
This image showcases Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the heart of our Milky Way galaxy. Gas in a glowing ring surrounds the black hole's "event horizon", a boundary from which nothing can escape. The ring features three bright spots and a fuzzy aura, set against a solid background. The ring is created by light bending in the intense gravity around the black hole at the center, which has a mass some 4 million times greater than that of our Sun.
This image showcases Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the heart of our Milky Way galaxy. Gas in a glowing ring surrounds the black hole's "event horizon", a boundary from which nothing can escape. The ring features three bright spots and a fuzzy aura, set against a solid background. The ring is created by light bending in the intense gravity around the black hole at the center, which has a mass some 4 million times greater than that of our Sun.
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3D Printable Files: Sagittarius A* Chandra Tactile Plate(3D Print Credit: NASA/CXC/A. Jubett, K.Arcand et al., using software by Tactile Universe/N. Bonne & C. Krawczyk & Blender; Photo Credit: NASA/CXC/UCLA/Z.Li et al.)
This tactile plate depicts a larger area surrounding the Milky Way's central supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A*, as a physical relief map based on the intensity of the X-ray data captured by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. Sagittarius A*, near the center, is marked with an arrow. The file for this plate can be downloaded and 3D-printed for learners to touch.
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3D Printable Files: Milky Way Tactile Plate (3D Print Credit: NASA/CXC/A. Jubett, K.Arcand et al., using software by Tactile Universe/N. Bonne & C. Krawczyk & Blender; Photo Credit: ESO/S. Brunier)
This tactile plate depicts our Milky Way galaxy as a physical relief map based on the intensity of the data captured in optical light. Sagittarius A* is located at the core of the galaxy in the center of the plate. The file for this plate can be downloaded and 3D-printed for learners to touch.
Return to: NASA Telescopes Support Event Horizon Telescope in Studying Milky Way's Black Hole (May 12, 2022)
Revised: June 13, 2022