Forbidden into Ne II observations of the galactic center Evidence for a massive black hole

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/163250· OSTI ID:5936469

Serabyn, E; Lacy, J H

The velocity field within two pc of the galactic center has been investigated by observing the forbidden Ne II 12.8 micron fine-structure emission from Sgr West. The velocity variation indicates that at least two of the features are large-scale flows of ionized gas. The flow along the southern arm continues all the way north to IRS 8, encircling the center of the galaxy in an arc of about 180 deg. Both the velocity and position along the northern arm are well fitted by a noncircular orbit with mass greater than 3.5 million solar masses within the orbital of about 0.5 pc. These data are taken as evidence for a central black hole of mass three to four million solar masses. A best estimate for the position of the central mass is coincident with IRS 16 NE. 42 references.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Berkeley; Hawaii Univ., Hilo
• OSTI ID: 5936469
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 293; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BLACK HOLES
DISTRIBUTION
ELEMENTS
EMISSION SPECTRA
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
FINE STRUCTURE
FLUIDS
FORBIDDEN TRANSITIONS
GALAXIES
GALAXY NUCLEI
GASES
MASS DISTRIBUTION
MILKY WAY
NEON
NONMETALS
RARE GASES
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
SPECTRA
STAR CLUSTERS