Colloquium on Oct. 15, 2020

Galactic Centre X-ray Time-Lapse: 3D, HD, polarised

Speaker:Ildar Khabibullin (MPA Garching & IKI Moscow)

Venue:Video Conference

Time:15:00 PM, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020

Abstract:

Reflection of X-ray emission on molecular clouds in the Galactic Center has established itself as a powerful tool for joint exploration of the past Sgr A*'s activity and properties of the dense gas distribution under extreme conditions of the Central Molecular Zone. Thanks to extensive observational efforts and improvements in modelling, parameters of the recent flare(s) and characteristics of the brightest molecular complexes have been both reliably inferred. Upcoming measurements of the polarisation in reflected X-ray continuum will help to separate the signal of interest from the contaminating background and to check the underlying assumptions of the previously used techniques in an independent manner. Probing the intrinsic polarisation properties of the primary emission might become feasible, helping us to reveal its physical origin and connection to the regularly observed Sgr A*’s X-ray and infrared flares of smaller amplitude. On the other hand, high resolution imaging and spectral mapping of the reflected X-ray emission are capable of shedding the light on characteristics of the supersonic gas motions which shape the inner structure of the molecular clouds and are intricately related to the whole cycle of massive star formation. I will describe the current status and highlight the future prospects of observing the unique “Galactic Center X-ray Time-Lapse” in its full power, i.e. 3D, HD, and polarised.

Report PPT:SWIFAR_Ildar Khabibullin.pdf