Universität zu Köln

Peißker, Florian ORCID: 0000-0002-9850-2708, Zajaček, Michal ORCID: 0000-0001-6450-1187, Labadie, Lucas ORCID: 0000-0001-5342-5713, Bordier, Emma ORCID: 0000-0001-9846-0344, Eckart, Andreas ORCID: 0000-0001-6049-3132, Melamed, Maria ORCID: 0000-0002-4902-3794 and Karas, Vladimír ORCID: 0000-0002-5760-0459 (2024). A binary system in the S cluster close to the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A*. Nature Communications, 15 (1). pp. 1-11. Springer Nature. ISSN 2041-1723

PDF s41467-024-54748-3.pdf Bereitstellung unter der CC-Lizenz: Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB)

Abstract

[Artikel-Nr. 10608] 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 42.4 AU. The system, known as D9, shows similarities to the G objects. We estimate an age for D9 of 2:7 + 1:9 -0:3 × 106 yr that is comparable to the timescale of the SMBH-induced von Zeipel-Lidov-Kozai cycle period of about 106 yr, causing the system to merge in the near future. Consequently, the population of G objects may consist of pre-merger binaries and post-merger products. The detection of D9 implies that binary systems in the S cluster have the potential to reside in the vicinity of the supermassive black hole Sgr A* for approximately 106 years.

Item Type:	Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Peißker, Florian UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9850-2708 UNSPECIFIED Zajaček, Michal UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6450-1187 UNSPECIFIED Labadie, Lucas UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5342-5713 UNSPECIFIED Bordier, Emma UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9846-0344 UNSPECIFIED Eckart, Andreas UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6049-3132 UNSPECIFIED Melamed, Maria UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4902-3794 UNSPECIFIED Karas, Vladimír UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5760-0459 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-814888
Identification Number:	10.1038/s41467-024-54748-3
Journal or Publication Title:	Nature Communications
Volume:	15
Number:	1
Page Range:	pp. 1-11
Number of Pages:	11
Date:	17 December 2024
Publisher:	Springer Nature
ISSN:	2041-1723
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Divisions:	Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences > Department of Physics > Institute for Theoretical Physics
Subjects:	Physics
['eprint_fieldname_oa_funders' not defined]:	Publikationsfonds UzK
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/81488