Reconstruction of stellar orbits close to Sagittarius A*: Possibilities for testing general relativity

Citation
Pc. Fragile et Gj. Mathews, Reconstruction of stellar orbits close to Sagittarius A*: Possibilities for testing general relativity, ASTROPHYS J, 542(1), 2000, pp. 328-333
Citations number
24
Categorie Soggetti
Space Sciences
Journal title
ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL
ISSN journal
0004637X → ACNP
Volume
542
Issue
1
Year of publication
2000
Part
1
Pages
328 - 333
Database
ISI
SICI code
0004-637X(20001010)542:1<328:ROSOCT>2.0.ZU;2-2
Abstract
We have reconstructed possible orbits for a collection of stars located wit hin 0."5 of Sgr A*. These orbits are constrained by observed stellar positi ons and angular proper motions. The construction of such orbits serves as a baseline from which to search for possible deviations due to the unseen ma ss distribution in the central 1000 AU of the Galaxy. We also discuss the l ikelihood that some of these stars may eventually exhibit detectable relati vistic effects, allowing for interesting tests of general relativity around the 2.6 x 10(6) M. central object.