The Central Star Cluster of the Galaxy: Deep Imaging

Computer Science

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Hst Proposal Id #3623

Scientific paper

We propose to use the HST Wide Field Camera to obtain deep images of the Galactic center with 0.1" (850 AU at 8.5 kpc) resolution at 1.03 micron wavelength. Recent observations have revealed a multitude of unusual phenomena at the center, suggesting that the Galactic center may be a low energy version of an active galactic nucleus and may harbor a massive collapsed object. Unambiguous delineation of the central star cluster, which would provide an important constraint on the central mass distribution, has been hampered by the inadequate angular resolution of ground-based observations. A 20 min. HST observation by us has already detected components of IRS16, which has been the focus of previous efforts to define the central star cluster. The proposed observation will map the structure of IRS16 in much greater detail. The resolution and sensitivity of the proposed observations can also detect and resolve individual K and M gaint stars of the central star cluster, despite the large visual extinction to the center; several late M giants may already be detected by the previous HST data. Understanding the nearest galactic nucleus will be important for the interpretation of more energetic active galactic nuclei.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

The Central Star Cluster of the Galaxy: Deep Imaging 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 The Central Star Cluster of the Galaxy: Deep Imaging, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Central Star Cluster of the Galaxy: Deep Imaging will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1206936

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.