Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jan 1997
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1997mnras.284..576e&link_type=abstract
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Volume 284, Issue 3, pp. 576-598.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
267
Astrometry, Stars: Fundamental Parameters, Stars: Imaging, Galaxy: Centre, Infrared: General.
Scientific paper
We report the first results of a programme to measure proper motions of stars in the innermost core of the Galaxy. From high-resolution near-infrared imaging over the last four years we have determined proper motions for 39 stars between 0.03 and 0.3 pc from the compact radio source Sgr A*. For 19 of these the derived motions are more significant than 4sigma in at least one coordinate. Proper motion and radial velocity dispersions are in very good agreement, indicating that the stellar velocity field on average is close to isotropic. Taking radial and proper motion data together the dynamic evidence is now strong that there is a 2.45(+/-0.4)x10^6- Msolar central dark mass located within <=0.015 pc of Sgr A*. Its mass density is at least 6.5x10^9 Msolar pc^-3, excluding the fact that the central mass concentration is in form of a compact white dwarf or neutron star cluster. In addition, we have detected significant changes in the structure of the innermost complex of stars in the immediate vicinity of Sgr A*, implying in at least one case stellar motions of >=1500 km s^-1 within ~0.01 pc of the compact radio source. Including this preliminary evidence, the inferred density of the central dark mass would then have to be in excess of 10^12 Msolar pc^-3, implying that the central mass concentration is probably a single massive black hole.
Eckart Andreas
Genzel Reinhard
No associations
LandOfFree
Stellar proper motions in the central 0.1 PC of the Galaxy does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Stellar proper motions in the central 0.1 PC of the Galaxy, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Stellar proper motions in the central 0.1 PC of the Galaxy will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1810279