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Isolated Hot Stars in Galactic Center VicinityUsing near-infrared imaging and spectroscopy, we discuss the discovery of six emission-line sources within approx. 20 pc of Sgr A West but outside of the central parsec. The objects are coincident with stars seen in. the J, H, and K' images; all have Br(gamma) (2.166 microns) in emission, several also have He I (2.058 and 2.112/3 micrometers), and some have He II (2.189 micrometers) emission lines. Comparison of the H- and K-band spectra of the newly discovered stars with recently published infrared spectral atlases of optically classified stars suggests that most of these stars are similar to massive stars in transition (e.g., Ofpe/WN9, B[e], and LBV), although one is definitely a WN6 star. Two of the potential stars are associated with the radio emission regions A-D near Sgr A East, three are near or within the radio emission regions Hl-H8, the last is near GO.10+0.02 and is likely to be associated with the GO.12+0.02 (Arches) cluster of stars, discussed in a previous paper. The stars are shown to be significant sources of ionization for their associated radio emission regions, with several capable of completely ionizing the regions. These results provide additional support for the idea that these thermal radio regions, and similar such regions in the Galactic center, are indeed photoionized by hot young stars.
Document ID
20010001467
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Cotera, Angela S.
(Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Inst. Moffett Field, CA United States)
Simpson, Janet P.
(Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Inst. Moffett Field, CA United States)
Erickson, Edwin F.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Colgan, Sean W. J.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Burton, Michael G.
(New South Wales Univ. Sydney, Australia)
Allen, David A.
(Anglo-Australian Observatory Epping, Australia)
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 10, 1999
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Volume: 510
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NCC2-647
CONTRACT_GRANT: NCC2-900
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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