Abstract
Galactic nuclei are expected to be densely populated with stellar- and intermediate-mass black holes. Exploring this population will have important consequences for the observation prospects of gravitational waves as well as understanding galactic evolution. The gas cloud G2 currently approaching Sgr A* provides an unprecedented opportunity to probe the black hole and neutron star population of the Galactic nucleus. We examine the possibility of a G2-cloud–black-hole encounter and its detectability with current x-ray satellites, such as Chandra and NuSTAR. We find that multiple encounters are likely to occur close to the pericenter, which may be detectable upon favorable circumstances. This opportunity provides an additional important science case for leading x-ray observatories to closely follow G2 on its way to the nucleus.
- Received 12 February 2013
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.221102
© 2013 American Physical Society
Synopsis
Black-Hole Hunting with a Gas Cloud
Published 30 May 2013
A moving gas cloud might help probe a population of black holes believed to inhabit the center of our galaxy.
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