Ionization State in and Reddening to the Center of the Galaxy
Abstract
Observations of the He I line at 2.06 microns and the Brackett lines of hydrogen at 2.17 and 4.05 microns at a number of positions in the Galactic center are reported. The ionization state of the gas appears to be maximum at or near IRS 16. Objects in the vicinity of IRS 16 probably produce most of the ionizing radiation, although the possibility that other significant sources of ionizing radiation are present cannot be excluded. Measurements of the Brackett line intensities show that the reddening toward the central 0.5 arcmin is approximately uniform and corresponds to A(v) of roughly 27 mag.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- September 1987
- DOI:
- 10.1086/165574
- Bibcode:
- 1987ApJ...320..570W
- Keywords:
-
- Galactic Nuclei;
- Infrared Spectra;
- Interstellar Extinction;
- Interstellar Gas;
- Ionized Gases;
- Milky Way Galaxy;
- H Lines;
- Helium;
- Ionizing Radiation;
- Red Shift;
- Supernova Remnants;
- Astrophysics;
- GALAXIES: THE GALAXY;
- GALAXIES: NUCLEI;
- INFRARED: SPECTRA;
- INTERSTELLAR: MATTER