2005ApJ...635L.141R

We present the first detailed simulation of the interaction between the supernova explosion that produced Sgr A East and the wind-swept inner ∼2 pc region at the Galactic center. The passage of the supernova ejecta through this medium produces an X-ray ridge ∼9"-15" to the northeast of the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*). We show that the morphology and X-ray intensity of this feature match very well with recently obtained Chandra images, and we infer a supernova remnant age of less than 2000 yr. This young age–a factor of 3-4 lower than previous estimates–arises from our inclusion of stellar wind effects in the initial (preexplosion) conditions in the medium. The supernova does not clear out the central ∼0.2 pc region around Sgr A* and does not significantly alter the gas profile around the central black hole upon passage through the Galactic center.: