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Images of Galactic Center

[image of the galactic center]

High Spatial resolution imaging of the Galactic Center from the Keck Observatory have produced maps of the region at near-infrared wavelengths. The above image shows a recent Adaptive Objects image of the region. Analysis from this image compared to earlier images of the region show stellar motions, the orbits of these stars around our own galaxy's central black hole. These results have been published in the journal Nature and have been reported by various news organizations. Links to some of these reports are given below: (links open a new window)

Adaptive Optics Movie

 This animation shows observations of the Galactic Center with and without Adaptive Optics illustrating the resolution gain.

Stellar Motion Movie

 This movie shows the relative motion of the stars close to the Galactic Center over the past few years. This motion coupled with basic orbital dynamics permits a mass to be computed for the central black hole. 

Ackowledgements

 These images courtesy of Andrea Ghez (UCLA). and the Keck Adaptive Optics Science Team
Keck Observatory Galactic Center Pages.

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Graphical Version

Center for Adaptive Optics