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Chapter 21: Problem 23

How does the mass of the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way compare with that found in most other spiral galaxies? a. It is comparable in mass. b. It is much less massive. c. It is much more massive. d. Astronomers don't yet know the masses well enough to tell.

Short Answer

Expert verified
a. It is comparable in mass.

Step by step solution

01

- Understand the question

The question asks you to compare the mass of the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way with the masses of those found in most other spiral galaxies.
02

- Gather relevant information

Know that the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way, known as Sagittarius A*, has an estimated mass of about 4 million solar masses.
03

- Compare with other spiral galaxies

Most other spiral galaxies have supermassive black holes with masses in a similar range. Some are more massive, and some are less, but typically the masses are comparable.
04

- Select the correct answer

Given the information that the masses are generally comparable, the correct answer is 'a. It is comparable in mass.'

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Milky Way
The Milky Way is the galaxy we call home. It is a barred spiral galaxy, which means it has a central bar-shaped structure made up of stars. It also has multiple spiral arms that extend outward. Our solar system is located in one of these spiral arms, about two-thirds of the way from the center to the edge.
Spiral Galaxies
Spiral galaxies are one of the several types of galaxies found in the universe. They are characterized by their spiral-shaped structure, formed by rotating arms that extend from the central core. These galaxies often have a lot of young stars, gas, and dust. Apart from the Milky Way, another famous spiral galaxy is the Andromeda galaxy.
Sagittarius A*
Sagittarius A* (pronounced Sagittarius A-star) is the supermassive black hole located at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. It has an estimated mass of about 4 million solar masses. This black hole is crucial for our understanding of similar black holes found in other galaxies. It can only be observed indirectly by its gravitational effects on nearby stars and gas.
Solar Masses
A solar mass is a standard unit used to measure the mass of stars and other celestial objects. One solar mass is equivalent to the mass of our Sun, which is about 2 solar masses. This unit helps astronomers easily compare the sizes of different stars and black holes.
Astronomical Measurements
Astronomical measurements allow scientists to understand the universe. Techniques include:
• Observing the positions and motions of celestial objects,
• Measuring distances using various methods like parallax,
• Calculating masses by observing gravitational influences,
• Using telescopes to collect light from distant stars and galaxies.
These methods make it possible to measure and compare the masses of supermassive black holes across different galaxies.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

A most likely fate of the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds is that they will a. become part of the Milky Way. b. remain orbiting forever. c. become attached to another passing galaxy. d. escape from the gravity of the Milky Way.

cosmic rays are a. a form of electromagnetic radiation. b. high-energy particles. c. high-energy dark matter. d. high-energy photons.

Detailed observations of the structure of the Milky Way are difficult because a. the Solar System is embedded in the dust and gas of the disk. b. the Milky Way is mostly dark matter. c. there are too many stars in the way. d. the galaxy is rotating too fast (about \(200 \mathrm{km} / \mathrm{s}\) ).

T/F: A globular cluster spends most of its time in the galaxy's halo.

Although the flat rotation curve indicates that the total mass of the Milky Way is approximately \(1 \times 10^{12} M_{\mathrm{o}},\) electromagnetic radiation associated with normal matter suggests a total mass of only \(9 \times 10^{10} M_{0}\). Given this information, calculate the fraction of the Milky Way mass that is made up of dark matter.
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