Galactic center at transit

Event Date: May 15th
Time: 3:20(.58) AM


Brief


As seen from our longitude, the galactic center transits at the time above.  Yesterday, I showed a part of the sky where the anti-center of the galaxy is.  The star El Nath in Taurus is the closest easy-visible star to the 180º mark for the galactic equator (opposite center).  Early this morning, we turn our attention back to the center.  Under dark enough skies, the Milky Way is seen at its "richest", most visible.  I included in purple, the galactic equator and meridian, showing exactly where the center is, as well as the ecliptic and general [transit] meridian.  The latter is shown to indicate the transit of the center, when we see it at highest altitude. 

click on image to enlarge: courtesy of Starry Night Pro Plus, version 6.4.3, by Simulation Curriculum Corp

Detailed

   Here is what is neat to remember: at our near 38ºN, the center transits at altitude 24.3º, being at declination -27.8º.  Our Sun on the winter solstice, which I will further talk about in December when it happens, reaches declination 23.5º, which as a reminder, is the same as the Earth's axis tilt.  Since the Sun never gets as far south as our galactic center, there is no way that will become lined up with the center, where a black hole dominates; light cannot even escape that hole, hence its name.
   The Mayan calendar ends this year, when the Sun lines up with the galactic meridian.  Looking at the ecliptic in green, the intersection of it with the galactic meridian marks that spot.  What many people do not understand, as a result of those fearing "astronomy doomsday" and creating of paranoia in the media, is that the Sun meets this intersection every year.  It will be 6º from the galactic center, therefore out of line with the black hole, and the Earth will not get "sucked into" the hole.  Even if it did cross the celestial coordinates of the center, it still perhaps would not have a gravitational pull, as the black hole is thousands of light years away, or 6 trillion miles times thousands.  Far enough for you?  In a word, relax...and if you really want to celebrate the evening of December 21st, do so for the beginning of winter and the holidays; not a made-up (astronomical) doomsday.