On the orientation of the Sagittarius A* system
Abstract
Context: The near-infrared emission from the black hole at the Galactic center (Sgr A*) has unique properties. The most striking feature is a suggestive periodic sub-structure that has been observed in a couple of flares so far.
Aims: Using near-infrared polarimetric observations and modelling the quasi-periodicity in terms of an orbiting blob, we try to constrain the three dimensional orientation of the Sgr A* system.
Methods: We report on so far unpublished polarimetric data from 2003. They support the observations of a roughly constant mean polarization angle of ~60° ± 20° from 2004-2006. Prior investigations of the 2006 data are deepened. In particular, the blob model fits are evaluated such that constraints on the position angle of Sgr A* can be derived.
Results: Confidence contours in the position - inclination angle plane are derived. On a 3σ level the position angle of the equatorial plane normal is in the range ~60°-108° (east of north) in combination with a large inclination angle. This agrees well with recent independent work in which radio spectral/morphological properties of Sgr A* and X-ray observations, respectively, have been used. However, the quality of the presently available data and the uncertainties in our model bring some ambiguity to our conclusions.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- October 2007
- DOI:
- 10.1051/0004-6361:20078009
- arXiv:
- arXiv:0708.2637
- Bibcode:
- 2007A&A...473..707M
- Keywords:
-
- black hole physics;
- infrared: general;
- accretion;
- accretion disks;
- Galaxy: center;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 10 pages, 4 figures