Riddle of The Double Nucleus of Andromeda Disclosed

Computer modeling the behavior of matter at intermediate distances from the supermassive black hole astrophysics California to establish the reasons for the existence of the double nucleus of the Andromeda Galaxy. They are also theoretically calculated the decrease in the value of the centrifugal forces, allowing the black hole easily “suck” matter.

The first time glimpse into the heart of the famous Andromeda galaxy (M31) – supergiant galaxy away from us by about 2.5 million light-years, succeeded in 1993 by Space Telescope Hubble. From the obtained images at once, scientists have determined that the center of this – a double. However, despite numerous studies since then, a clear explanation for this odd feature found Andromeda and was not.

Now, perhaps, scientists were finally able to get closer to unraveling the mystery of the active centers of large galaxies – and the distant Andromeda and our Milky Way – where detected supermassive black holes (NCC). This is evidenced by a recent article in the edition of Universe Today astronomers work in California Philip Hopkins (Philip Hopkins) and Elliot Kvaterta (Eliot Quataert).

Scientists are always interested in the question: how did a black hole manage to absorb such a quantity of matter? Calculations show that fall into this abyss is a spiral trajectory so fast that it creates enormous centrifugal force that can, at least, greatly slow the movement of matter in the NCC, if not let him break away.

According to experts, this form of drive leads to the fact that gas and dust around the holes gradually lose angular momentum and fall to her. The new findings, according to astrophysicists, will affect the development of modern models of galactic evolution. However, to detect these discs is difficult – they interfere with the study area of ??the glow hole.

Matter, which turned out quite close – about one third of a light year – easily absorbed. At this distance the influence of NCC is very large, including the influence of its magnetic field, which slows down the rotation and reduces the centrifugal forces.

If the distance is much greater – from 30 to 300 light years, then push the matter to the black hole can and gravitational interactions between objects of the galaxy, and the influence of neighboring galaxies. But here at intermediate distances – between about 0.3 and 30 light-years from the galactic center, according to all estimates, there should be a counterweight that can neutralize the effect of centrifugal forces and push the material into the interior of NCC.

It is with this issue was related to “double” nature of the center of the galaxy Andromeda – at least, the conclusion made by scientists conducting computer simulations of the behavior of matter at intermediate distances from the NCC.

It turned out that there is a cloud of gas, dust and stars that move in a spiral to the NCC, formed in the structure of disks, whose centers are offset from the center of the galaxy and the most holes. The mutual influence of these drives and slow rotation, reducing the amount of centrifugal force and allowing the black hole “suck” matter freely.

This work, of course, purely theoretical. However, according to Hopkins and Kvaterta, namely the presence of two such discs displaced due to the unusual feature of the active center of the galaxy Andromeda.

Unfortunately, to conduct a sufficient number of practical observations in search of similar structures in other galaxies is not very easy. They are located too close to the NCC, and an active radiation absorbed by the cloth produced, yet hides the ongoing processes of today’s equipment. Perhaps this can be done in the near future.