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Mass distribution in the galactic centreNew infrared and submillimeter spectroscopic measurements of the gas dynamics in the central 10 pc of the Galaxy make a convincing case that the mass distribution at the center of the Galaxy is more concentrated than a spherical isothermal stellar cluster. The measurements fit a point mass of about 4 million solar masses, but are also consistent with a cluster where stellar density decreases with radius (R) at least as fast as R to the -2.7, or a combination of a point mass and a stellar cluster. The dynamical information combined with previous 2-micron observations favor a large point mass, which is presumably a massive black hole.
Document ID
19850055539
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Crawford, M. K.
(California Univ. Berkeley, CA, United States)
Genzel, R.
(California Univ. Berkeley, CA, United States)
Harris, A. I.
(California Univ. Berkeley, CA, United States)
Jaffe, D. T.
(California Univ. Berkeley, CA, United States)
Lugten, J. B.
(California Univ. Berkeley, CA, United States)
Serabyn, E.
(California Univ. Berkeley, CA, United States)
Townes, C. H.
(California, University Berkeley, CA, United States)
Lacy, J. H.
(Texas, University Austin, TX; California, University Berkeley, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
June 6, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: Nature
Volume: 315
ISSN: 0028-0836
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Report/Patent Number
ISSN: 0028-0836
Accession Number
85A37690
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGL-05-003-272
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF AST-82-11520
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG2-208
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF AST-82-12055
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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