Simulation of gas cloud approaching the black hole at the centre of the Milky Way

This simulated view shows a gas cloud (just above centre, with its orbit shown in red) that has been observed approaching the supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way. 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 stars orbiting the black hole are also shown along with blue lines marking their orbits. The stars and the cloud are shown in their actual positions in 2011.

Credit:

ESO

Over de afbeelding

Id:eso1151b
Type:Ontwerp
Publicatiedatum:14 december 2011 19:00
Gerelateerde berichten:eso1151
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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