Simulation of gas cloud after close approach to the black hole at the centre of the Milky Way

This view shows a simulation of how a gas cloud that has been observed approaching the supermassive black hole at the centre of the galaxy may break apart over the next few years. This is the first time ever that the approach of such a doomed cloud to a supermassive black hole has been observed and it is expected to break up completely during 2013. The remains of the gas cloud are shown in red and yellow, with the cloud's orbit marked in red. The stars orbiting the black hole are also shown along with blue lines marking their orbits. This view simulates the expected positions of the stars and gas cloud in the year 2021.

Credit:

ESO/MPE/Marc Schartmann

Over de afbeelding

Id:eso1151a
Type:Ontwerp
Publicatiedatum:14 december 2011 19:00
Gerelateerde berichten:eso1151
Gerelateerde mededelingen:ann11083
Grootte:4000 x 2250 px

Over het object

Naam:Sgr A*
Type:Milky Way : Galaxy : Component : Central Black Hole
Afstand:25000 lichtjaren
Categorie:Illustrations
Quasars and Black Holes

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