The Milky Way galaxy
Chapter 1
Mapping our cosmic neighborhood
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Chapter 2
The monster at the center
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Chapter 3
The Milky Way in human culture
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Chapter 4
The fate of our galactic home
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YOUR GOAL
Master of The Milky Way galaxy
Ch 2 · The monster at the center
Fun Fact
Black hole mass: Sagittarius A* has a mass equal to about 4 million Suns, yet its physical diameter is smaller than the orbit of Mercury.
Glossary
black hole (noun)
A region of space having a gravitational field so intense that no matter or radiation can escape. In 2022, the Event Horizon Telescope captured the first direct image of Sagittarius A.
A region of space having a gravitational field so intense that no matter or radiation can escape. In 2022, the Event Horizon Telescope captured the first direct image of Sagittarius A.
Quiz
What is the name of the star used by astronomers to prove the existence of Sagittarius A* by tracking its rapid 16-year orbit?
Quiz
What type of electromagnetic radiation is best suited to pierce the dust clouds blocking the galactic center?
Quiz
What color was the glowing ring of gas in the famous 2022 image of Sagittarius A*?
Quiz
Which international collaboration captured the first image of Sagittarius A* in 2022?