Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (June 7, 1985)
Page 10/The Battalion/Friday, June 7 1985 Scientists find new evidence Black hole exists in Milky Way Associated Press BERKELEY, Calif. — Scientists reported strong new evidence Thursday that a massive “black hole” exists in the center of the Milky Way galaxy, surrounded by a cavity 60 trillion miles wide. The finding, discovered by a team from the University of California, may help solve the mystery of a cos mic phenomenon that has been the subject of intense research and dis cussion by astronomers in recent years. One of the key discoveries of the team led by Nobel Prize-winning physicist Charles H. Townes was that gases at the inner edge of the gaseous ring at the galaxy’s nucleus swirl at a faster rate than gases far ther away, indicating that the gases id a ' compressed so tightly by its gravity that its m^ss must be 4 million times dense that not even light rays can es- 1. T surroun d a single massive object. Calculations by the team showed that the invisible matter in the hole is greater than the sun. So dense is the center of the black hole that neither light nor any other form of radiation can escape. Gases at the inner edge reach speeds of 250,000 mph to 430,000 niph, according to the scientists, and are surrounded by a huge cavity of low-density gas. Inside this cavity — 10 light years, or about 60 trillion miles across — is a cluster of stars. Beyond the cavity is another swirling circle of hotter, glowing gases. Townes said that the orbits of the gases indicate that the hole sucked in enormous quantities of gases within the past million years. This huge col lapse of gas, he said, “triggered a su pernova-size explosion in the black hole, producing the cavity detected around the galaxy’s center.” gravitational pull. Thus it is not visible, and its existence must be inferred from its effect on objects around it. At present, the hole in the center of our 10 billion-year-old galaxy ap pears to be swallowing up little from the near-empty cavity around it-. “It must be a peculiarly starvin black hole,” said Reinhard Genze associate professor of physics at Ber keley, who led the research with Townes. The research, funded by the Na tional Science Foundation and the National Aeronautics and Space Ad ministration, was published Thurs day. A black hole is a collapsed star so “In the past, there have been a number of puzzles about this area,” Townes saia. “The pieces of the puz zle that are finally falling into place are quite impressive.” Cocaine found in tanker truck: Rio Grande Valley’s largest bust Associated Press HEBBRONVILLE — Federal au- thoritites on Thursday confiscated 846 pounds of cocaine with a whole sale value of $43 million after stop ping a gasoline tanker truck at a bor der patrol checkpoint, authorities said. The cocaine and 127 pounds of marijuana were in the tank of the truck, which was stopped about 6 a.m. Thursday after U.S. Customs and Drug Enforcement Administra tion agents received a tip and noti fied border patrol agents, DEA agent Jack Wagner said. Wagner said the driver of the truck, Manuel Aleman, 36, of New Braunfels, was arrested dnd charged with possession of cocaine and mari juana. Authorities also arrested four others believed to be involved in a drug operation at a ranch in El Sauz in Starr County about 15 miles northwest of Rio Grande City. “It shows the trend that tradi tional smuggling routes are no longer coming through South Flor ida but are now shifting into Mexico and Texas,” Wcigner said. He said the cocaine bust was the largest ever by federal authorities in the Rio Grande Valley. For That Tin Grin This portable sign, announces an appetiz ing new cuisine at a roadside truck stop off of Interstate Texas. Doctors say no baby for Dempa Thursday to find out why. ‘ il Associated Press DALLAS — Dempa the gorilla spe iby, so the doctors did some exploratory sur gery at Parkland Memorial Hospital nt almost two hours examining e reproductive system of the 14- year-old, 200-pound ape. They con firmed a suspicion that she is unable to become pregnant because kii lopian tubes are blocked. The diagnosis for the DallasJ was bad news, zoo spokesmani| Stewart said. Shop Foley's Monday through Saturday 10 to 9:30, Sunday 12 to 6 (Downtown Houston and Bryan/Coliege Station closed Sunday) Shop Downtown Houston Monday through Friday 9:30 to 6. Saturday 'til 5:30. SALE! DEVELOP A “BODY BY ADIDAS” SAVE ON CLOTHING AND SHOES Save on Adidas® active sportswear and tennis separates 25% off Develop a "Body by Adidas” with savings on our entire stock of running wear, workout wear, and tennis separates from our 1985 collection. Assorted colors, fabrics and styles, sizes S, M, L, XL. Sarah Watts Pianist Teacher Degree, Piano, Baylor University, University Teaclilng Experience ★ Serious students of all ages 822-6856 Problem Pregnancy? we listen, we care, welielp Free pregnancy tests concerned counselors Brazos Valley Crisis Pregnancy Servit We re local! 4340 Carter Greek Pkwy ■ Suite 107 Bryan, TX 24 hr. Ho! 823-CARE GRAND OPENING SPECIU FREE usage for 5 months of an activity table or ottoman to the first 50. Details at the store. SALES AND RENTAL AVAlUBli CmIiwpinm Plan Mtmtj, Th again mend final ' worki degre Th tion, i ficials ment that \ meml islatu Aft the S uate ( for th comp made gree maste . 21 MCA1 NOW’S THE iilM EPARE mid-juii nr TO PREPARE m ^ K4PUI ■RV EDUCATIONAL CENTER | EE, Call 696-3196 for details 707 TEXAS AVE.301-C; IN DALLAS: 11617 N. CENTRALEXPW' j 7.49 off Adidas® Lendl Pro shoe 42.46 reg. 49.95 Full grain leather uppers, durable double-density rubber soles and extensive ankle padding combined in one terrific court shoe. 5.99 off Adidas® Pro Court shoe 33.96 reg. 39.95 Nylon mesh/leather uppers, rubber soles and thick ankle collar padding for comfort and support on and off the court. 5.99 off Adidas® Stan Smith shoe 28.99 reg. 39.95 This classic court shoe has top grain leather uppers bonded and stitched to multi-grip soles for traction, and a built-in heel counter for support. Ape A - -DOWNTOWN -ALMEDA •DEERBROOK -GREENSPOINT -MEMORIAL -NORTHWEST -PASADENA -SAN JACINTO -SHARPSTOWN -WEST OAKS -WILLOWBROOK A I JCTIKI- -BARTON CREEK SQUARE J ■Pl.« -HIGHLAND MALL SAN ANTONIO:: INGRAM PARK MALL NORTH STAR MALL BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION: ^ s LL OAK