Sagittarius A

Sagittarius A is a complex radio source at the center of the Milky Way, which contains a supermassive black hole. It is located in the constellation Sagittarius, and is hidden from view at optical wavelengths by large clouds of cosmic dust in the spiral arms of the Milky Way. The dust lane that obscures the Galactic Center from a vantage point around the Sun causes the Great Rift through the bright bulge of the galaxy. The radio source consists of three components: the supernova remnant Sagittarius A East, the spiral structure Sagittarius A West, and a very bright compact radio source at the center of the spiral, Sagittarius A. These three overlap: Sagittarius A East is the largest, West appears off-center within East, and A* is at the center of West.

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I animated the recent photo of Sagittarius A* to loop seamlessly and endlessly. It's quite hypnotic!

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The imaging of Sagittarius A*: A monumental scientific achievement. "More than 300 astronomers and hundreds of engineers and support staff from 60 institutions across 20 countries and regions on all seven continents made the observations, processed the data...."

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Comparison of the sizes of two black holes: M87* and Sagittarius A*

Sagittarius A* in pictures: The 1st photo of the Milky Way's monster black hole explained in images

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Event horizon telescope announces first images of Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way.

Sagittarius A*: The Milky Way's supermassive black hole

New MeerKAT radio image reveals complex heart of the Milky Way - including a stunning view of Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy