Galactic Center: Implications of Recent Chandra Observations for Spherical Accretion Models of Sgr A*
Abstract
Description
At the center of the Milky Way lurks a unique compact nonthermal radio source, Sgr A*. It is thought to be powered by a 2.6 million solar mass black hole that is accreting the stellar winds from the numerous early-type stars that exist in the central parsec. However, until recent high resolution Chandra observations, Sgr A* had never been unequivocably detected at wavelengths shorter than the sub-millimeter. We present a spherical accretion model which is consistent with both the flux and steep spectral shape of the X-ray emission from Sgr A*.
to appear in Proceedings of IAU 205; 4 pages
to appear in Proceedings of IAU 205; 4 pages