Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the visibility of potential relativistic jets emitted by the supermassive black hole Sgr A at the center of the Milky Way. Participants explore the conditions under which these jets might be visible from Earth, considering both current observations and hypothetical scenarios.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Conceptual clarification
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- One participant questions how visible relativistic jets from Sgr A would be from Earth if they were emitted at a 90-degree angle from our line of sight.
- Another participant notes the difficulty in observing such jets due to the black hole's current low activity level, suggesting that jets are typically emitted during periods of significant matter accretion.
- A participant expresses curiosity about whether these jets would be visible in the sky without telescopes, indicating that if they were large and bright enough, they could potentially be seen with the naked eye.
- There is speculation that significant jets might be visible in the distant future, particularly during the anticipated merger of the Milky Way with the Andromeda galaxy.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants generally agree that the visibility of jets from Sgr A is contingent on specific conditions, such as the black hole's activity level and the amount of matter being accreted. However, there is no consensus on the likelihood of such jets being visible in the near future.
Contextual Notes
The discussion highlights uncertainties regarding the current state of Sgr A and the conditions necessary for jet visibility, including the dependence on matter accretion and the potential for future astronomical events.