PreprintCC BY 4.0arXiv
Dissecting the variability of Sagittarius A* in the orbiting hotspot framework
Abstract
Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) exhibits intermittent flaring behavior, characterized by strong enhancements in high-energy emission (infrared and X-ray). These events have been interpreted as related to the coherent orbital motion of localized regions of energized plasma - hotspots. While this framework has been quite fruitful in constraining properties of Sgr A*, it is subject to important challenges and limitations. In this brief review we discuss the recent observational and theoretical developments related to this line of research, commenting on the concerns regarding the hotspot model validity and the future perspectives.
Related
- Nonthermal hotspot orbiting the supermassive black hole Sgr A*
- KMOS spectroscopic follow-up of 16 star cluster candidates in the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy
- Probing an Intermediate-Mass Black Hole Companion of Sagittarius A* with Pulsar Timing
- Gravitational wave signals from primordial black holes orbiting solar-type stars
- Stellar-wind-fueled Accretion onto Sagittarius A* in the Presence of a Nuclear Star Cluster
BibTeX
@misc{wielgus2026dissecting,
title = {{Dissecting the variability of Sagittarius A* in the orbiting hotspot framework}},
author = {Maciek Wielgus and Aristomenis Yfantis},
howpublished = {arXiv},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.48550/arxiv.2609.28844},
eprint = {2609.28844},
archivePrefix = {arXiv},
url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.28844},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Dissecting the variability of Sagittarius A* in the orbiting hotspot framework
AU - Maciek Wielgus
AU - Aristomenis Yfantis
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/23
PB - arXiv
DO - 10.48550/arxiv.2609.28844
UR - https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.28844
AB - Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) exhibits intermittent flaring behavior, characterized by strong enhancements in high-energy emission (infrared and X-ray). These events have been interpreted as related to the coherent orbital motion of localized regions of energized plasma - hotspots. While this framework has been quite fruitful in constraining properties of Sgr A*, it is subject to important challenges and limitations. In this brief review we discuss the recent observational and theoretical developments related to this line of research, commenting on the concerns regarding the hotspot model validity and the future perspectives.
ER -