Keck AO Observations of the Central 5 pc of M31

Details Keck AO Observations of the Central 5 pc of M31 Keck AO Observations of the Central 5 pc of M31

Publishing date

Jan 2012

URL

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2012aas...21940906l&link_type=abstract

Journals

American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #219, #409.06

Science

Physics

Field

Optics

Type

Scientific paper

Abstract

The neighboring Andromeda galaxy (M31) harbors both a supermassive black hole and an apparent 200 Myr starburst cluster within the central parsec. Since the nucleus of M31 has relatively little molecular gas, the source of gas for this recent star formation event has not yet been determined. One proposed solution is that an eccentric disk of old stars, observed to extend a few parsecs from the black hole, is both the source of the molecular gas and the means for transporting the gas inward. We present results from new Keck adaptive optics spatially resolved spectroscopy of the entire eccentric disk and central parsec. We have mapped the 2D kinematics in this region in order to measure the dynamical structure of the eccentric disk and determine if it is precessing slowly enough for gas on self-intersecting orbits to shock, cool, and plunge into the central parsec to fuel future starbursts or black hole accretion.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Keck AO Observations of the Central 5 pc of M31 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 Keck AO Observations of the Central 5 pc of M31, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Keck AO Observations of the Central 5 pc of M31 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1582562