Unveiling the Heart of the Milky Way: Mapping Mass and Motion in the Galactic Centre
Feldmeier-Krause et al. used stellar velocities and metallicities to map mass and motion in the Milky Way’s centre. They found that most stars likely formed locally and rotate quickly, while a smaller, metal-poor group may have external origins. Their models confirmed the black hole’s mass and showed minimal dark matter influence in the inner ~30 parsecs.
A Stellar Blender: Black Holes May Be Pulverizing Stars at the Center of the Milky Way
Haas et al. propose that a dense cluster of stellar-mass black holes near the Milky Way’s center acts as a “star grinder,” destroying massive stars through collisions. This explains the absence of O-type stars in the S-cluster and matches observed star distributions. Their model also accounts for missing hypervelocity star counterparts and supports a peaked black hole density near Sgr A⋆.
A Deeper Look at the Mysterious Heart of our Galaxy: Understanding Sagittarius A*
The study focuses on Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*), the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way, examining its behavior and influence on its surroundings. Using advanced observational techniques across multiple wavelengths, scientists explore its accretion disk, occasional bursts of activity, and the jets it emits. By analyzing these phenomena, researchers aim to understand how supermassive black holes form, grow, and shape their host galaxies. Future advancements, such as the Event Horizon Telescope, promise even deeper insights into Sgr A* and its broader implications for galactic evolution.