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American Astronomical Society, Astrophysical Journal Letters, 2(964), p. L26, 2024

DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/ad2df1

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First Sagittarius A* Event Horizon Telescope Results. VIII. Physical Interpretation of the Polarized Ring

Journal article published in 2024 by The Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration, Kazunori Akiyama ORCID, Antxon Alberdi ORCID, Walter Alef, Juan Carlos Algaba ORCID, Richard Anantua ORCID, Keiichi Asada ORCID, Rebecca Azulay ORCID, Uwe Bach ORCID, Anne-Kathrin Baczko ORCID, David Ball, Mislav Baloković ORCID, Bidisha Bandyopadhyay ORCID, John Barrett ORCID, Michi Bauböck ORCID and other authors.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

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.