The magnetized flux is accreted to the center of our galaxy

The magnetized flux is accreted to the center of our galaxy

Do magnetic fields play the role of an important driving force for a gas that joins a supermassive black hole that resembles the one located in the Milky Way? Little information is available on the role of magnetic fields in gas accretion, and attempts at observation turned out to be too complicated. However, a study using the instruments of the Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) showed a good measurement. There was clear evidence that the orientation of the magnetic field is in accordance with the molecular torus and ionized jets rotating relative to Sagittarius A * - a black hole in the center of the Milky Way.

Sagittarius A * - the best natural laboratory

Sagittarius A * is the closest supermassive black hole to Earth. Therefore, in recent decades, it was observed by many scientists trying to understand the nature of gas accretion. These reviews are important for understanding how objects manage to release such enormous energy.

The circular nuclear disk (CND) is a molecular torus rotating relative to Sagittarius A *, inside of which ionized gas jets (mini-helixes) are located, filling the molecular cavity. The mini-helix is ​​believed to come from the inner edge of the CND. Therefore, the latter is not only the closest “food reservoir” for Sagittarius A *, but is also crucial for understanding the nutrition of a black hole. But the search for physical evidence of CND contact and mini-helix confused scientists. In recent decades, intensive measurements of dynamic movements revolving around Sagittarius A * have been carried out, but its magnetic field has not been radiated widely. This is only due to the fact that the weakly polarized signal generated by the magnetic field is difficult to measure due to the formation of dust. But it is expected that the magnetic field plays an important role for the material rotating around and inside the CND, since the magnetic stress affecting the disk is capable of manifesting torque to extract angular momentum from the rotating gas and influx. In addition, this force can remove gas from a black hole.

Thanks to the excellent atmospheric conditions of Mauna Kea at an altitude of 4000 m and the large size of the JCMT aperture (diameter - 15 m), it was possible to obtain submillimeter polarization experiments in the galactic center.

Tracking magnetized accretionary inflow

The researchers used the dust polarization data obtained by the SCUPOL instrument to image the orientation of the magnetic field. A similar comparison with higher resolution interferometric cards from a submillimeter array shows that the magnetic field is aligned with the CND. Moreover, the closest observed magnetic field lines are also coherently matched with a mini-helix. This is the first attempt to fix the trace of the inflow connecting the CND and the mini helix. The analysis showed that the magnetic field is dynamically powerful with respect to CND and mini-helix. This discovery suggests that the magnetic field is able to direct the movement of ionized particles that have appeared in CND, and produce the observed spiral structure of the mini-helix. These studies will help understand the influx of other black hole galaxies, such as Sagittarius A *.

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