The ASCA and Chandra Observations of the Galactic center
Abstract
This paper reports the new results of the high energy activity found with the X-ray observations of the Galactic center (GC). The Ginga satellite discovered the largely extended hot plasma around the GC, suggesting a violent activity of the GC within 105 year. ASCA found strong 6.4 keV line emissions from the molecular clouds near the GC, which is well explained by the fluorescent caused by strong X-ray irradiations from Sgr A* of ∼100-300 years ago. Recent Chandra observations on the GC have confirmed these previous results and moreover, with its unprecedented spatial resolution, have resolved a number of non-thermal/6.4-keV X-ray filaments and jet-like structures possibly caused by Sgr A*. We infer that these complexities in morphology and spectrum of the GC X-ray are due to coupled actions of recent supernova explosions, a super massive black hole and giant molecular clouds.
- Publication:
-
Chinese Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement
- Pub Date:
- December 2003
- DOI:
- 10.1088/1009-9271/3/S1/297
- Bibcode:
- 2003ChJAS...3..297K
- Keywords:
-
- Galaxy: center;
- ISM: clouds;
- X-rays: ISM