The Galactic center: Not an active galactic nucleus

Deokkeun An, Solange V. Ramírez, Kris Sellgren

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We present 10 μm - 35μm Spitzer spectra of the interstellar medium in the central molecular zone (CMZ), the central 210 pc × 60 pc of the Galactic center (GC). We present maps of the CMZ in ionic and H2 emission, covering a more extensive area than earlier spectroscopic surveys in this region. We compare diagnostic line ratios measured in the Spitzer Infrared Nearby Galaxies Survey to our data. Previous work shows that forbidden line ratios can distinguish star-forming galaxies from low-ionization nuclear emission-line regions (LINERs) and active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Our GC line ratios agree with star-forming galaxies and not with LINERs or AGNs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)54-58
Number of pages5
JournalProceedings of the International Astronomical Union
Volume9
Issue numberS303
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2014

Keywords

  • ISM: molecules
  • galaxies: ISM
  • galaxies: active
  • galaxies: nuclei
  • galaxies: starburst
  • infrared: ISM
  • stars: formation

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