Seminario DAS: Understanding the interstellar medium of the Galactic Center region through large scale observations

Speaker: Dr. Denisse Riquelme Vásquez
Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie

Abstract: The Galactic center (GC) of our Galaxy offers a unique opportunity to explore all the phenomena occurring in galactic nuclei at an unbeatable spatial resolution. It harbors a huge condensation of molecular gas (~3x10^7 Msolar) that is known as  the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ). The CMZ, with its spectacular regions of present and past star formation, extraordinary chemical richness, and peculiar physical properties, is one of the most important targets to study the interstellar medium under (ISM) extreme conditions, including the influence of radiation, high energy particles, and shocks. Many properties (high temperatures and line widths, densities, pressures, radiation fields) of the gas in the GC are very similar to those found in the centers of other galaxies, but quite different to the ones at the Galactic disk. The study of the CMZ is, therefore, fundamental not only to understand the evolution and fate of our own Galaxy, but also to construct a template for the interpretation of observations in the cores of other galaxies. During the talk, I will review the peculiar properties of the interstellar medium of the GC, the open questions, and the observational programs we are carrying out to contribute to the understanding of the striking characteristics of this region.

We aim to characterize the ISM`s physical and chemical conditions from scales encompassing several square degrees in the CMZ, to smaller scales of prominent objects such as the “mini-starburst” Sgr B2, Sgr C, the Sgr A clouds, the 1.3 complexes or the Central Nuclear Disk. For this purpose, we pursue specific observational programs, including large scale APEX and SOFIA surveys, and interferometric observations with ALMA and VLA.

Diego Mardones
Seminar Coordinator
DAS/UChile - diego@das.uchile.cl