Astronomy Picture of the Day

The Galactic Center Radio Arc


Bild Note: 0 (0 Votes)

⏴ previousBild Upload von 18.02.2016 21:43next ⏵
zorg.ch
#71067 by @ 04.04.2005 00:00 - nach oben -
The Galactic Center Radio Arc


Explanation:
What causes this unusual structure near the center of our Galaxy?

The long parallel rays slanting across the top of the
above radio image are known collectively as the
Galactic Center Radio Arc and jut straight out from the
Galactic plane.

The Radio Arc is connected to the
Galactic center
by strange curving filaments known as the Arches.

The bright radio structure at the bottom right
likely surrounds a
black hole at the
Galactic center and is known as
Sagittarius A*.

One origin hypothesis holds that the
Radio Arc and the Arches have their geometry
because they contain hot
plasma flowing along lines of constant
magnetic field.

Recent images from the
Chandra X-ray Observatory
appear to show this
plasma colliding with a nearby cloud of cold gas.




Credit & Copyright