First Sagittarius A* Event Horizon Telescope Results. VIII. Physical Interpretation of the Polarized Ring
Journal Article
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· Astrophys.J.Lett.
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- MIT; Natl. Astron. Observ. of Japan; Harvard U. (main); Harvard-Smithsonian Ctr. Astrophys.
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Abstract In a companion paper, we present the first spatially resolved polarized image of Sagittarius A* on event horizon scales, captured using the Event Horizon Telescope, a global very long baseline interferometric array operating at a wavelength of 1.3 mm. Here we interpret this image using both simple analytic models and numerical general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) simulations. The large spatially resolved linear polarization fraction (24%–28%, peaking at ∼40%) is the most stringent constraint on parameter space, disfavoring models that are too Faraday depolarized. Similar to our studies of M87*, polarimetric constraints reinforce a preference for GRMHD models with dynamically important magnetic fields. Although the spiral morphology of the polarization pattern is known to constrain the spin and inclination angle, the time-variable rotation measure (RM) of Sgr A* (equivalent to ≈46° ± 12° rotation at 228 GHz) limits its present utility as a constraint. If we attribute the RM to internal Faraday rotation, then the motion of accreting material is inferred to be counterclockwise, contrary to inferences based on historical polarized flares, and no model satisfies all polarimetric and total intensity constraints. On the other hand, if we attribute the mean RM to an external Faraday screen, then the motion of accreting material is inferred to be clockwise, and one model passes all applied total intensity and polarimetric constraints: a model with strong magnetic fields, a spin parameter of 0.94, and an inclination of 150°. We discuss how future 345 GHz and dynamical imaging will mitigate our present uncertainties and provide additional constraints on the black hole and its accretion flow.
- Research Organization:
- Cagliari U.; Cornell U., Radio. Space Res. Ctr.; Hiroshima U.; Niigata U.; Mullard Space Sci. Lab.; Washington U., St. Louis; Leiden Observ.; Nanjing U., Dept. Astron.; Key Lab. Mod. Astron. Astrophys., MOE, Nanjing; Tokyo Inst. Tech.; Natl. Astron. Observ. of Japan; Rhodes U.; Trinity Coll., Dublin; Chicago U.; Chicago U., KICP; Turku U.; McGill U., Montreal (main); Sao Paulo U.; U. Toronto, Dunlap Inst. Astron. Astrophys.; Central Lancashire U.; Unlisted; Illinois U., Urbana, Astron. Dept.; Peking U., SKLNPT; Villanova U.; U. Amsterdam, GRAPPA; Shanghai, Astron. Observ.; Tokyo, Grad. U. Adv. Stud.; Conacyt, Mexico; XIA LLC; Waterloo U., IQC; INAOE, Puebla; KASI, DaeJeon; Columbia U., Astron. Astrophys.; LESIA, Meudon; INFN, Cagliari; Kogakuin U.; Frankfurt U.; Subaru Telescope; Colorado U.; UNAM, Inst. Astron.; Malaya U.; New Mexico U.; Fairfield U.; U. Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Sch. Phys.; Princeton U.; Fudan U.; Harvard U. (main); Nijmegen U., IMAPP; Kyung Hee U.; RCAAM, Academy of Athens; Las Cumbres Observ.; Peking U.; Kapteyn Astron. Inst., Groningen; Wurzburg U.; Princeton U., Astrophys. Sci. Dept.; Shanghai Jiaotong U.; Hong Kong, Chinese U.; Hawaii U.; Caltech; Hachinohe Inst. Tech.; INFN, Naples; Taiwan, Natl. Normal U.; IRAM, Granada; McGill U.; Integrated Applied Physics, Waltham; Peking U., Beijing, KIAA; Hefei, CUST; Shanghai Jiao Tong U.; Boston U.; Kyungpook Natl. U.; Tokyo, Inst. Statistical Math.; Academia Sinica, Taiwan; IESL, Heraklion; Brandeis U.; Lethbridge U.; KISTI, Daejeon; Canadian Inst. Advanced Res.; Chicago U., EFI; Cagliari Observ.; Tokyo U.; Texas U., San Antonio; Yale Ctr. Astron. Astrophys.; Unlisted, CN; Yunnan Observ.; Princeton, Inst. Advanced Study; Seoul Natl. U.; Sao Paulo, Inst. Astron. Geofis.; Waterloo U.; Massachusetts U., Amherst; Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, IL (United States); Bonn, Max Planck Inst., Radioastron.; Harvard-Smithsonian Ctr. Astrophys.; Tokyo U., IPMU; Hua-Zhong U. Sci. Tech.; Yonsei U.; Mizusawa Observ.; Naples U.; Southern Denmark U., CP3-Origins; UNAM, Morelia, Inst. Radioastron. Astrophys.; Tuorla Observ.; KAIST, Taejon; Arizona U., Astron. Dept. - Steward Observ.; Michigan State U.; MIT; Valencia U.; NOIRLab; IRAM, St. Martin d'Heres; Chalmers U. Tech.; Concepcion U.; ESTEC, Noordwijk; Illinois U., Urbana; Aalto U.; Arizona U.; UC, Berkeley; Harvard U.; Chicago U., Astron. Astrophys. Ctr.; Georgia Tech., Atlanta; Nanjing U. Sci. Tech.; CCA, New York; Granada U., Theor. Phys. Astrophys.; Pretoria U.; Taiwan, Natl. Taiwan U.; Perimeter Inst. Theor. Phys.; UC, Santa Barbara; Toronto U.; Beijing Observ.; Frankfurt U., FIAS; ASTRON, Dwingeloo; Tokyo U., ICRR; Bologna Observ.; Unlisted, US, MA; NAOC, Beijing; NRAO, Charlottesville; Canadian Inst. Theor. Astrophys.; Valencia U., IFIC; Gemini Observ., Hilo; Bologna, Ist. Radioastronomia
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC02-07CH11359; 89243024CSC000002
- OSTI ID:
- 2468664
- Report Number(s):
- FERMILAB-PUB-24-0724-PPD; oai:inspirehep.net:2796796
- Journal Information:
- Astrophys.J.Lett., Journal Name: Astrophys.J.Lett. Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 964
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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