AFGL 2004: an Infrared Quintuplet near the Galactic Center
Abstract
Near-IR broad-band images at K, L-prime, and M-prime, and maps at L, and N, are presented for a peculiar IR quintuplet source along the line of sight toward the Galactic center Radio Arc. The five members have a very red energy distribution. Most likely the quintuplet complex is near the Galactic center, not merely a projection of foreground stars. The location of this group near a bright ridge structure in the 'Radio Arc' suggests a possible association with that region. If the quintuplet is truly located close to the Galactic center, the sources have luminosities comparable to those of bright giants or supergiants, although they do not seem to be a cluster of OB- or M-type stars.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- March 1990
- DOI:
- 10.1086/168446
- Bibcode:
- 1990ApJ...351...83N
- Keywords:
-
- Early Stars;
- Galactic Nuclei;
- Infrared Sources (Astronomy);
- Nebulae;
- Red Giant Stars;
- Spatial Distribution;
- Spectral Energy Distribution;
- Stellar Luminosity;
- Astrophysics;
- GALAXIES: NUCLEI;
- INFRARED: SOURCES;
- NEBULAE: INDIVIDUAL ALPHANUMERIC: AFGL 2004