All quiet at the Galactic centre

Stephen Withers
Friday, 19 January 2007 05:19

Science - Space

Astronomers studying the centre of our galaxy via the ESA's Integral gamma ray observatory have seen a temporary fading of emissions from around ten normally high-energy sources.

All the sources are variable and their quiescent periods have just happened to coincide, but this event provides an unusual opportunity to study the area for faint sources that are normally swamped by their more energetic neighbours.

It also means there is a possibility of detecting the very faint radiation from Sagittarius A*, the huge black hole at the centre of the galaxy.