Molecular Loops in the Galactic Center: Evidence for Magnetic Flotation
Authors:
- Yasuo FukuiYFYasuo Fukui
- Motosuji FujishitaMFMotosuji Fujishita
- Natsuko KudoNKNatsuko Kudo
- Kazufumi ToriiKTKazufumi Torii
- Satoshi NozawaSNSatoshi Nozawa
- Ryoji MatsumotoRMRyoji Matsumoto
- Mami MachidaMMMami Machida
- Akiko KawamuraAKAkiko Kawamura
- Yoshinori YonekuraYYYoshinori Yonekura
- Norikazu MizunoNMNorikazu Mizuno
- 6 October 2006
- journal article
- other
- Published by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Science
- Vol. 314 (5796) , 106-109
Abstract
The central few hundred parsecs of the Milky Way host a massive black hole and exhibit very violent gas motion and high temperatures in molecular gas. The origin of these properties has been a mystery for the past four decades. Wide-field imaging of the 12 CO (rotational quantum number J = 1 to 0) 2.6-millimeter spectrum has revealed huge loops of dense molecular gas with strong velocity dispersions in the galactic center. We present a magnetic flotation model to explain that the formation of the loops is due to magnetic buoyancy caused by the Parker instability. The model has the potential to offer a coherent explanation for the origin of the violent motion and extensive heating of the molecular gas in the galactic center.Keywords
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