Author Question: Briefly describe Sagittarius A. What will be an ideal response? ... (Read 84 times)

Mr. Wonderful

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 866
Briefly describe Sagittarius A.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

In the context of stellar astronomy, briefly describe dark matter.
 
  What will be an ideal response?



stano32

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 339
Answer to Question 1

Observations show that Sagittarius A (abbreviated as Sgr A) is only a few astronomical units in diameter but is a powerful source of radio energy. The tremendous amount of infrared radiation coming from the central area appears to be produced by crowded stars and by dust warmed by those stars.Since the middle 1990s, astronomers have been able to use large infrared telescopes and adaptive optics to follow the motions of stars orbiting around Sgr A. The size and period of the orbit allows astronomers to calculate the mass of Sgr A using Kepler's third law. The orbital period of the star SO-2, for example, is 15.2 years, and the semimajor axis of its orbit is 950 AU. The combined motions of the observed stars suggest that Sgr A has a mass of 4 million solar masses.At its closest, SO-2 comes within 17 light-hours of Sgr A. The available evidence eliminates alternate hypotheses that Sgr A is a large cluster of normal stars or neutron stars or stellar-mass black holes. Only a single black hole could contain so much mass in so small a region.

Answer to Question 2

According to the modern studies, is clear that significant extra mass lies in the galaxy's halo, extending up to 10 times farther than the edge of the visible disk and containing up to two trillion (2 x 1012 ) solar masses. Some small fraction of this mass is made up of low-luminosity stars and white dwarfs, but most of the matter is not producing any light. Astronomers call it dark matter and conclude that it must be some as yet unknown form of matter.



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
 

Did you know?

The top 10 most important tips that will help you grow old gracefully include (1) quit smoking, (2) keep your weight down, (3) take supplements, (4) skip a meal each day or fast 1 day per week, (5) get a pet, (6) get medical help for chronic pain, (7) walk regularly, (8) reduce arguments, (9) put live plants in your living space, and (10) do some weight training.

Did you know?

Chronic marijuana use can damage the white blood cells and reduce the immune system's ability to respond to disease by as much as 40%. Without a strong immune system, the body is vulnerable to all kinds of degenerative and infectious diseases.

Did you know?

Ether was used widely for surgeries but became less popular because of its flammability and its tendency to cause vomiting. In England, it was quickly replaced by chloroform, but this agent caused many deaths and lost popularity.

Did you know?

Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis syndrome are life-threatening reactions that can result in death. Complications include permanent blindness, dry-eye syndrome, lung damage, photophobia, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, permanent loss of nail beds, scarring of mucous membranes, arthritis, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Many patients' pores scar shut, causing them to retain heat.

Did you know?

Addicts to opiates often avoid treatment because they are afraid of withdrawal. Though unpleasant, with proper management, withdrawal is rarely fatal and passes relatively quickly.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library