Reconstruction of Stellar Orbits Close to Sagittarius A*: Possibilities for Testing General Relativity
Open Access
- 10 October 2000
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Astronomical Society in The Astrophysical Journal
- Vol. 542 (1) , 328-333
- https://doi.org/10.1086/309495
Abstract
We have reconstructed possible orbits for a collection of stars located within 05 of Sgr A*. These orbits are constrained by observed stellar positions and angular proper motions. The construction of such orbits serves as a baseline from which to search for possible deviations due to the unseen mass distribution in the central 1000 AU of the Galaxy. We also discuss the likelihood that some of these stars may eventually exhibit detectable relativistic effects, allowing for interesting tests of general relativity around the 2.6 × 106 M☉ central object.Keywords
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