A size of ∼1 au for the radio source Sgr A* at the centre of the Milky Way

Zhi-Qiang Shen (), K. Y. Lo, M.-C. Liang, Paul T. P. Ho and J.-H. Zhao
Additional contact information
Zhi-Qiang Shen: Shanghai Astronomical Observatory
K. Y. Lo: National Radio Astronomy Observatory
M.-C. Liang: California Institute of Technology
Paul T. P. Ho: Harvard-Smithsonian CfA
J.-H. Zhao: Harvard-Smithsonian CfA

Nature, 2005, vol. 438, issue 7064, 62-64

Abstract: Your nearest black hole? Most galaxies are thought to have a supermassive black hole at their centres, but proving it is very difficult. The centre of our own Galaxy, occupied by the compact radio source Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) is a good place to start looking as it is so close to us, just 26,000 light-years from the Sun. A new short-wavelength radio image of Sgr A* has made it possible establish the intrinsic size of Sgr A* for the first time. It is 1 astronomical unit (the Sun-Earth distance) across. This suggests that its mass density is more than 10 orders of magnitude greater than any other known cosmic object, well into supermassive black hole territory.

Date: 2005
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DOI: 10.1038/nature04205

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