The First Measurement of Spectral Lines in a Short-Period Star Bound to the Galaxy’s Central Black Hole: A Paradox of Youth
University of California, Los Angeles · University of California San Diego · +3 more institutions
Abstract
We have obtained the first detection of spectral absorption lines in one of the high-velocity stars in the vicinity of the Galaxy's central supermassive black hole. Both Brgamma (2.1661 micron) and He I (2.1126 micron) are seen in absorption in S0-2 with equivalent widths (2.8+-0.3 Ang & 1.7+-0.4 Ang) and an inferred stellar rotational velocity (220+-40 km/s) that are consistent with that of an O8-B0 dwarf, which suggests that it is a massive (~15 Msun), young (<10 Myr) main sequence star. This presents a major challenge to star formation theories, given the strong tidal forces that prevail over all distances reached by S0-2 in its current orbit (130 - 1900 AU) and the difficulty in migrating this star…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 43.42
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 33
Authors
14- AMA. M. GhezCorresponding
University of California, Los Angeles, University of California San Diego
- GDGaspard Duchêne
University of California, Los Angeles
- KMK. Matthews
California Institute of Technology
- SDS. D. Hornstein
University of California, Los Angeles
- ATA. Tanner
University of California, Los Angeles
Topics & keywords
- Physics
- Astrophysics
- Supermassive black hole
- Black hole (networking)
- Galaxy
- Astronomy
- Stars
- Orbit (dynamics)