Radio map of the Galactic Centre, covering 1 x 1.2
degrees (148 pc x 163
pc). The galactic plane spans from the upper left to the lower right
corner of the map. The observations were made at 10.7 GHz (2.8 cm
wavelength) with
the 100 m Effelsberg radio telescope. The resolution of the map (3 pc)
is
indicated by the white circle at the bottom left corner. The intensity
of
the radiation increases from blue to red. The polarised intensity is
shown
with white vectors.
The intensity of the central feature peaks at Sgr A, one
of the strongest radio sources in the Galaxy. Investigations at several
wavelengths suggest that a black hole of about 10^6 solar masses lurks
in this region. To the upper left lies the double source Sgr B, a
conglomerate of ionised and neutral hydrogen, rich in molecular
material. Radio astronomers have discovered omplex molecules in its
vicinity.
(
John
Seiradakis, Copyright MPIfR 1998)
public_at_mpifr-bonn.mpg.de
