Direct Imaging of the Massive Black Hole, SgrA*

Abstract

Imaging the vicinity of black hole is one of the ultimate goals of VLBI astronomy. The closest massive black hole, SgrA*, located at Galactic center is the leading candidate for such observations. Combined with recent VLBI recording technique and sub-mm radio engineering, we now have the sufficient sensitivity for the observations. We here show performance simulations of sub-mm VLBI arrays for imaging SgrA*. An excellent image is obtained from a sub-mm. VLBI array in southern hemisphere like the configuration of VLBA. We also note that even with a small array, we. can estimate the shadow size and then the mass of black hole from visibility analysis. Now, if only constructing a, sub-mm VLBI array in southern hemisphere, we can unveil the black hole environments of SgrA*.