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Friday, 28. June 2002

RobertBast, June 28, 2002 at 9:41:00 PM AEST

Local Supernova 10,000 years ago

Question: Why does the black hole in our galactic center only emit 20% of the expected x-ray intensity?

Answer 1: It is saving them up for one almighty & nasty outburst (me).

Answer 2:

Ten thousand years ago a supernova exploded very close to Sagittarius A*. The fast-expanding gases swept away much of the local interstellar gas and dust, preventing material from falling into the Milky Way's supermassive black hole, thereby "starving" it. Less material falling into the black hole meant fewer X-rays being emitted.

This supernova from the special date of 10,000 years ago needs some more investigation!

Source: FirstScience

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