Origin of the excitation of the Galactic center

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/167047· OSTI ID:6275306

Rieke, G H; Rieke, M J; Paul, A E

Near-infrared imaging and spectroscopy of the infrared cluster in the central parsec of the galaxy have been obtained. Very-high resolution images of IRS 16 allow an upper limit of 10 percent to be placed to the contribution to the energetics in this region by Sgr A-asterisk. However, the very blue colors of at least five components of IRS 16 suggest that they together could power the region. A deep image at 1.25 micron detects at least three of the sources bright at 10 micron, demonstrating that these objects contain self-luminous cores. Constraints on the temperatures of these cores are placed with infrared spectroscopy, and they appear to be too hot and bright in the near-infrared to be single stars. These cores may also contribute significantly to the overall luminosity of the central parsec. 48 references.

• Research Organization: Steward Observatory, Tucson, AZ (USA); Arizona Univ., Tucson (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6275306
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 336; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CONSTRAINTS
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GALAXIES
GALAXY NUCLEI
INFRARED RADIATION
LUMINOSITY
MILKY WAY
NEAR INFRARED RADIATION
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
SPECTROSCOPY
STAR CLUSTERS