The galactic centre
This infrared image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope shows the centre of the Milky Way, 27 000 light-years away from Earth. Using the infrared capabilities of Hubble, astronomers were able to peer through the dust which normally obscures the view of this interesting region. At the centre of this nuclear star cluster — and also in the centre of this image — the Milky Way’s supermassive black hole is located.
Credit:NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
Acknowledgment: NASA, ESA, T. Do and A. Ghez (UCLA), and V. Bajaj (STScI)
About the Image
| Id: | heic1606a |
| Type: | Observation |
| Release date: | 31 March 2016, 16:00 |
| Related releases: | heic1606 |
| Size: | 5174 x 4469 px |
About the Object
| Name: | Galactic Centre, Sagittarius A* |
| Type: | Milky Way : Galaxy : Component : Center/Core |
| Distance: | 27000 light years |
| Constellation: | Sagittarius |
| Category: | Stars |
Image Formats
Coordinates
| Position (RA): | 17 45 40.22 |
| Position (Dec): | -29° 0' 31.04" |
| Field of view: | 6.47 x 5.59 arcminutes |
| Orientation: | North is 45.0° left of vertical |
View in ESASky:
View in WorldWide Telescope:
Colours & filters
| Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
|---|---|---|
| Infrared H2O/CH4 continuum | 1.274 μm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |
| Infrared H2O/CH4 line | 1.384 μm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |
| Infrared H2O and NH3 | 1.532 μm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |