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.

Bildnachweis:

ESO/MPE/Marc Schartmann

Über das Bild

ID:eso1151a
Typ:Illustration
Veröffentlichungsdatum:14. Dezember 2011 19:00
Dazugehörige Veröffentlichungen:eso1151
Dazugehörige Mitteilungen:ann11083
Größe:4000 x 2250 px

Über das Objekt

Name:Sgr A*
Typ:Milky Way : Galaxy : Component : Central Black Hole
Entfernung:25000 Lichtjahre
Kategorie:Illustrations
Quasars and Black Holes

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3,0 MB

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