Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 21: Problem 58

Go to the websites of the two main groups studying the supermassive black hole at the galactic center: the UCLA Galactic Center Group (http://astro.ucla.edu/-ghezgroup/gc) and the Galactic Center Research group at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (http://mpe,mpg.de/ ir/GC). Watch some of the time-lapse animations of the stars orbiting something unseen. Why is it assumed that the unseen object is a black hole? What new results are these groups reporting?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The unseen object is assumed a black hole because of its massive gravity affecting star orbits. New results include precise star orbit measures and black hole mass estimates.

Step by step solution

01

Visit the Websites

Go to the websites of the two main groups studying the supermassive black hole at the galactic center: the UCLA Galactic Center Group (http://astro.ucla.edu/-ghezgroup/gc) and the Galactic Center Research group at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (http://mpe.mpg.de/ir/GC).
02

Watch Time-Lapse Animations

Watch some of the time-lapse animations on both websites. Observe the stars orbiting around something unseen at the galactic center.
03

Understand Why the Unseen Object is Considered a Black Hole

It is assumed that the unseen object is a black hole due to the behavior of the stars in the animations. The stars exhibit extremely fast orbits indicating the presence of a massive object with strong gravitational forces. The concentration of such a massive object in a small region and the inability to directly observe it suggests it is a black hole.
04

Review New Results Reported by Groups

Review the new results and findings reported by the UCLA Galactic Center Group and the Galactic Center Research Group at the Max Planck Institute. This typically includes more precise measurements of star orbits, improved estimations of the black hole’s mass, and observations of the black hole's effects on surrounding matter.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

Key Concepts

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

galactic center
The galactic center is the rotational center of the Milky Way galaxy, known for hosting a supermassive black hole. This area is extremely dense with stars, gas, and other matter.
Examining this region helps scientists understand the black hole's influence on its surroundings. By observing the movements and interactions of stars in this area, researchers can gain insights into the gravitational forces and other phenomena at play.
time-lapse animations
Time-lapse animations are an essential tool in astrophysics for visualizing long-duration events over shorter periods.
These animations involve capturing multiple images over time and compiling them into a video. This technique is used to study the orbits of stars around the galactic center.
By speeding up these observations, scientists can better comprehend the dynamic behaviors and patterns that would otherwise be imperceptible in real-time.
stellar orbits
The orbits of stars around the galactic center provide crucial evidence for the presence of a supermassive black hole. These stellar orbits are extremely fast and tightly bound, which suggests a massive invisible object with strong gravitational forces.
Researchers observe these orbits to calculate the black hole’s mass and its effects on nearby stars. By mapping these precise paths, scientists can verify the existence and characteristics of the black hole.
UCLA Galactic Center Group
The UCLA Galactic Center Group is a research team focusing on the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy. They are renowned for their contributions to the study of stellar orbits and gravitational influences.
The group uses advanced telescopes and imaging techniques to capture and analyze data, providing improved estimations of the black hole's mass and properties. Their findings contribute significantly to our understanding of black holes and galactic dynamics.
Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics
The Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics is another leading research group studying the galactic center. Located in Germany, this team employs robust observational tools and theoretical models.
They have made significant advancements in understanding the interactions between the supermassive black hole and its surrounding environment. Their research often collaborates with international institutions, contributing to a global understanding of black hole dynamics and their broader implications in astrophysics.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

In general, what does the abundance of a star's heavy elements indicate about the age of the star? a. Stars with higher abundance are older. b. Stars with higher abundance are younger.

A star in a circular orbit about the black hole at the center of the Milky Way (whose mass \(M_{\mathrm{BH}}=8 \times 10^{36} \mathrm{kg}\) ) has an orbital radius of 0.0131 light-year \(\left(1.24 \times 10^{14}\) meters) \right. What is the average speed of this star in its orbit?

Globular clusters are important because a. they provide information about how the Milky Way formed and evolved. b. they provide information about how stars evolve. c. they reveal the size of the Milky Way, and Earth's location in it. d. all of the above

Go to the "Night Sky" Web page of the National Park Service (NPS- http://nature.nps.gov/night). What is a "natural lightscape"? Click on and read "Light Pollution" and "Measuring Lightscapes." Why is it becoming more rare for people to see the Milky Way? Why does the NPS consider viewing the Milky Way an important part of the parks experience?

Where are the youngest stars in the Milky Way Galaxy? a. in the core b. in the bulge c. in the disk d. in the halo
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Further Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Read Explanation

Torque and Rotational Motion

Read Explanation

Electricity and Magnetism

Read Explanation

Atoms and Radioactivity

Read Explanation

Linear Momentum

Read Explanation

Circular Motion and Gravitation

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free