What are the Coordinates of Sagittarius A* at Different Julian Century Dates?

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SUMMARY

The coordinates of Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) at the J2000 epoch are Right Ascension 17h 45m 40.0409s and Declination −29° 0′ 28.118″, with a distance of 25,900 ± 1,400 light-years. To find the coordinates for different Julian Century Dates, users can utilize coordinate converters that account for precession effects. The apparent motion of Sgr A* is approximately 6.411 milli-arc seconds per year along the galactic plane and 0.219 milli-arc seconds along the pole. However, specific observational data for Sgr A* at various epochs remains challenging to locate.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of celestial coordinates, specifically Right Ascension and Declination.
  • Familiarity with precession effects in astronomy.
  • Knowledge of Julian Century Dates and their significance in astronomical observations.
  • Experience with coordinate conversion tools for astronomical data.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the use of coordinate converters for astronomical observations, focusing on precession adjustments.
  • Explore the concept of apparent motion in celestial objects, particularly in relation to Sgr A*.
  • Investigate the historical and current observational data for Sgr A* across various epochs.
  • Learn about the implications of Keplerian Elements in the context of galactic centers and their motion.
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, astrophysicists, and students studying celestial mechanics, particularly those interested in the dynamics of the Milky Way Galaxy and the coordinates of its central black hole, Sagittarius A*.

Philosophaie
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The Center of the Milky Way Galaxy is located at Sagittarius A*.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagittarius_A*
The J2000 position is:
Right ascension 17h 45m 40.0409s
Declination −29° 0′ 28.118″
Distance 25,900 ± 1,400 ly

How do you find the Right Ascension and Declination for other Julian Century Dates?
Are there Keplerian Elements for the Galactic Center with time?
 
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There are coordinate converters such as this one which will calculate the effects of precession and convert to coordinates for a given observation time. Do you understand the effects of precession and what such a conversion is doing? What are you going to do with the new coordinates? Your question on Keplerian Elements seems confused. Keplerian Elements are for an object in orbit. What do you think Sgr A* is orbiting around?
 
phyzguy said:
There are coordinate converters such as this one which will calculate the effects of precession and convert to coordinates for a given observation time. Do you understand the effects of precession and what such a conversion is doing? What are you going to do with the new coordinates? Your question on Keplerian Elements seems confused. Keplerian Elements are for an object in orbit. What do you think Sgr A* is orbiting around?

Srg A* does have an apparent motion, most of which likely relates to the sun revolving around the galaxy. Numbers vary acvording to source, but it is approximately 6.411 mas (milli-arc seconds) per year along the galactic plane, and 0.219 mas along the pole the pole. The inquiry referenced Kepler, and as the phyzguy responded, that doesn't really come into play for Sgr A* [from our observation point of reference]. Nevertheless, Sgr A* does change its apparent position at the small rates I noted. As such, the crux of the question [where to find the coirdinates for Sgr A* at different J-dates] remains unanswered. I myself have been trying to find the same data, and have thus far failed as well. That search brought me to this forum. Does anyone know where this data exists. If not J-date, at least for the annual epochs. It's easy to find the coordinates for J2000 (but observed coordinates from direct observations for 2020, 2005, 1998, etc., are difficult to find [I can't believe they are non-existent]).
 

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