| This
Chandra X-ray image shows the relationship between the black hole Sagittarius
A* and the supernova remnant Sagittarius A East, both of which are located
in the center of our galaxy in the constellation Sagittarius. For the first
time, astronomers using Chandra were able to separate the supernova remnant,
Sgr A East, from other complex structures in the center of the Milky Way.
The emission from the supernova remnant Sgr A East is depicted by the bright
yellow and orange tones in the middle of this image. From the Chandra image,
scientists can clearly see that Sgr A East surrounds Sgr A*, the Milky Way's
central black hole found near the white dots in the lower-right portion
of the central object. |
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With
Chandra, astronomers found hot gas concentrated within the larger radio
shell of Sgr A East. The gas is highly enriched by heavy elements, with
four times more calcium and iron than the Sun, and that confirms earlier
suspicions that Sgr A East is most likely a remnant of a supernova explosion.
While dozens of supernova remnants are known in our galaxy, the proximity
of Sgr A East to the black hole in the center of our galaxy makes it important.
By detailing the association between Sgr A East and Sgr A*, astronomers
hope to learn if this is an example of a common relationship between supernovae
and black holes throughout the Universe. |
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