is the a/c compressor.
If it is a suspect of the noise...just dis-com-booberate the belt and see if the noise goes away.
If it does, then your a/c compressor clutch or compressor is bad.
Drop $1000 at the a/c shop and pass go.
Check out Harbor Freight for a mechanic's stethoscope, they have them cheap and a scope is great for finding the source of a scary sound.