Sagitarius A and its Possible Escape from a Black Hole

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around Sagitarius A (SgrA) and its relationship with a supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. Participants explore the dynamics of SgrA, including its velocity, potential collisions with the black hole, and the behavior of stars and dust clouds in that region.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the prognosis of SgrA colliding with the black hole and the probability of parts of the star reaching escape velocity to find a stable orbit.
  • Another participant asserts that SgrA is the black hole at the center of the galaxy, clarifying its nature.
  • Some participants discuss the existence of stars orbiting around SgrA at high speeds and express interest in learning more about these stars and surrounding dust clouds.
  • A later reply references an article from Astronomy magazine that discusses recent imaging of the center of the galaxy and the mapping of star orbits, suggesting that there is more visual information available on the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is some confusion regarding the nature of SgrA, with participants clarifying that it is a black hole rather than a star. However, the discussion about the dynamics of SgrA and its interaction with surrounding stars and dust remains unresolved, with multiple viewpoints presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully explored the implications of escape velocity in relation to the black hole, nor have they clarified the definitions of terms used in their discussions. There are also unresolved questions about the specific characteristics of the stars and dust clouds near SgrA.

Philosophaie
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Sagitarius A or SgrA is a star rotating near the center of our Milky Way Galaxy. Located at Ecliptic Longitude of 27sgr00 right now. The velocity of SgrA must be tremendous.

What is the prognosis that it will collide with the black hole?

This supermassive Black Hole will soon engulf this star and what it can not consume will send back into another decaying orbit around it. What is the probablility that part of the star will reach the escape velocity of the Black Hole and find a stable orbit?
 
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I though Sgr-A WAS the black hole at the center of the galaxy?
 
Yes you are right SgrA is measured by a Radio Telescope as the center of the galaxy and is not a star. There are stars orbiting around it at high speed. I would like to know about these stars and clouds of dust.
 
Philosophaie said:
Yes you are right SgrA is measured by a Radio Telescope as the center of the galaxy and is not a star. There are stars orbiting around it at high speed. I would like to know about these stars and clouds of dust.

As I recall Astronomy magazine did a very nice piece a few years ago about recent images (IR I believe) of the center of the galaxy and mapped the orbits of a number of stars revolving close to the center. I think this is the reference:

http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=7725

The actual article has lots more images.
 

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