A binary system in the S cluster close to the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A.

ABSTRACT: High-velocity stars and peculiar G objects orbit the central supermassive black hole (SMBH) Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*). Together, the G objects and high-velocity stars constitute the S cluster. In contrast with theoretical predictions, no binary system near Sgr A* has been identified. Here, we report the detection of a spectroscopic binary system in the S cluster with the masses of the components of 2.80  ±  0.50 M_⊙ and 0.73  ±  0.14 M_⊙, assuming an edge-on configuration. Based on periodic changes in the radial velocity, we find an orbital period of 372±3 days for the two components. The binary system is stable against the disruption by Sgr A* due to the semi-major axis of the secondary being 1.59±0.01 AU, which is well below its tidal disruption radius of approximately

SUBMITTER: Peißker F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11652627 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature