Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Nov 1982
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1982apj...262..120l&link_type=abstract
Astrophysical Journal, Part 1, vol. 262, Nov. 1, 1982, p. 120-134. Research supported by the University of California
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
145
Black Holes (Astronomy), Galactic Nuclei, Galactic Structure, Milky Way Galaxy, Accretion Disks, Helium, Interstellar Gas, Line Spectra, Molecular Clouds, Star Distribution, Stellar Mass, Velocity Distribution
Scientific paper
Observations of infrared fine-structure line emission from compact clouds of ionized gas in the galactic center have been reported by Lacy et al (1979, 1980). These observations suggest the existence of a central black hole of nearly 3,000,000 solar masses and require mechanisms to generate, ionize, and dispose of the gas clouds. It is found that the best model to fulfill these requirements involves cloud generation through disruption of red giants by stellar collisions, ionization by a population of stars which is affected either by enhanced metal abundances or the death of the most massive stars, and gas disposal by star formation. Although the existence of a massive black hole cannot be ruled out, it would play no necessary role in this model and may cause the tidal disruption of stars at a rate such that their accretion into the black hole would produce more radiation than is observed.
Hollenbach David J.
Lacy John H.
Townes Charles H.
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