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Mass distribution in the galactic centre

Nature volume 315, pages 467–470 (1985)Cite this article

Abstract

New infrared and submillimetre spectroscopic measurements of the gas dynamics in the central 10 pc of our Galaxy make a convincing case that the mass distribution at the centre of the Galaxy is more concentrated than a spherical isothermal stellar cluster. The measurements fit a point mass of ∼4 × l06 M⊙ but are also consistent with a cluster where stellar density decreases with radius (R) at least as fast as R−2.7, or a combination of a point mass and a stellar cluster. The dynamical information combined with previous 2-µm observations favour a large point mass, which is presumably a massive black hole.

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Author notes

  1. J. H. Lacy

    Present address: Astronomy Department, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California, 94720, USA

    M. K. Crawford, R. Genzel, A. I. Harris, D. T. Jaffe, J. H. Lacy, J. B. Lugten, E. Serabyn & C. H. Townes

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  1. M. K. Crawford
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  2. R. Genzel
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  7. E. Serabyn
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  8. C. H. Townes
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Crawford, M., Genzel, R., Harris, A. et al. Mass distribution in the galactic centre. Nature 315, 467–470 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/315467a0

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