High-resolution forbidden Ne II observations of the ionized filaments in the Galactic center

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1988 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/166078· OSTI ID:6995617

Serabyn, E; Lacy, J H; Townes, C H; Bharat, R

The forbidden Ne II 12.8 micron emission from the central 10 arcsec of the Galaxy has been observed with 1.5 arcsec resolution. The broad lines previously observed in this region are resolved into separate features associated with the filaments and knots of radio continuum emission present. The radial velocity varies rapidly and continuously with position along the filaments, with gradients of up to 30 km/s. The emission along the eastern arm is mapped. The velocities are consistent with streams of gas orbiting about the center. A simple model of gravitationally dominated orbits fits the data; the masses estimated to lie within the orbits suggest the presence of a central mass of about 2.5 million solar. The implications of this model and possible objections to it are considered. 59 references.

• Research Organization: Max-Planck-Institut fuer Radioastronomie, Bonn (Germany, F.R.); Texas Univ., Austin (USA); California Univ., Berkeley (USA); Rockwell International Science Center, Anaheim, CA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6995617
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 326; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
FLUIDS
FORBIDDEN TRANSITIONS
GALAXIES
GALAXY NUCLEI
GASES
INFRARED SPECTRA
IONIZED GASES
MASS
MILKY WAY
NEON
NONMETALS
RADIAL VELOCITY
RADIATIONS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
RARE GASES
SPECTRA
STAR CLUSTERS
VELOCITY