Ghez

Definition

Ghez refers to Andrea Ghez, an American astronomer who has made significant contributions to the study of the center of our galaxy. She is best known for her work on the supermassive black hole at the core of the Milky Way.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Andrea Ghez won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2020 for her discovery of a supermassive compact object, now identified as Sagittarius A*, at the center of our galaxy.
2. Her research provided some of the most convincing evidence for the existence of a supermassive black hole by tracking the orbits of stars near the galactic center.
3. Ghez utilized high-resolution imaging techniques such as adaptive optics to observe star movements with unprecedented clarity.
4. She works primarily with data from telescopes like Keck Observatory in Hawaii.
5. Ghez's findings helped confirm that Sagittarius A* has a mass about four million times that of our Sun.

Review Questions

• What prestigious award did Andrea Ghez receive in recognition of her work on the center of our galaxy?
• What astronomical object did Andrea Ghez's research help identify at the core of the Milky Way?
• Which advanced technology did Andrea Ghez use to track star movements near Sagittarius A*?

Related terms

Sagittarius A*:

The supermassive black hole located at the center of our galaxy, with a mass approximately four million times that of our Sun.

Adaptive Optics:

A technology used to improve the performance of optical systems by reducing distortions caused by Earth's atmosphere.

Keck Observatory:

An observatory in Hawaii that houses some of the world's largest and most scientifically productive telescopes.