How is the mass and location of the central object (Sgr A*) calculated with high precision today?
Answer
By tracking the orbits and speeds of individual nearby stars, such as S2.
By meticulously observing the paths of stars orbiting the central unseen object over many years, astronomers apply orbital mechanics to calculate the mass and precise location of the orbiting body.
#Videos
How We Found Earth's Location in the Milky Way - YouTube
Related Questions
Why is it challenging to determine the precise location of the Milky Way's center from Earth?What did Harlow Shapley study to gain the first strong evidence for the galactic center's direction?Where are globular star clusters primarily located in relation to the main disk of the galaxy?Which constellation marks the direction where Shapley found the concentration of globular clusters?What was Shapley's approximate distance estimate for the galactic center based on his early observations?Which types of electromagnetic radiation are effective at penetrating the interstellar dust clouds that block visible light?What specific radio emission is used by astronomers to map the location and motion of cold hydrogen gas near the core?What provides the definitive, pinpoint marker for the exact geometric center of the Milky Way?How is the mass and location of the central object (Sgr A*) calculated with high precision today?What is the current generally accepted distance estimate from Earth to the Milky Way's center?