Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) is a bright and compact radio source that emanates from the supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy. This 7.5 x 5.7 degree field of view is roughly centred on it, thus marking the very centre of the galaxy. It's location is slightly to the upper right of the four open star clusters and associated emission nebulosity, at the centre of the image. Obviously, the black hole is not visible.
The yellow star to the upper right of the star clusters is 3 Sgr, a yellow giant and Cepheid variable of spectral class F7, approximately 1000 lightyears distant. The more distant red emission and dark nebulosity is plentiful, as our view is through the plane of our spiral galaxy. Sgr A* is approximately 27,000 lightyears away, the black hole being estimated at just over 4 million solar masses.
This LRGBHa image is the result of just under 1h of remote data capture from Chile, in July 2021. A ZWO 1600MM camera was used, through a 135mm Samyang lens.
Date: 25/07/2021
Location: Chile
Photographer: Graham Wilcock
