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Cited by 45Astrophysical Phenomena and ObservationsAstrophysics and Cosmic PhenomenaGalaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena

A MULTIWAVELENGTH VIEW OF A MASS OUTFLOW FROM THE GALACTIC CENTER

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Law, C. J.·2010·The Astrophysical Journal
DOI 10.1088/0004-637x/708/1/474
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Abstract

The Galactic center (GC) lobe is a degree-tall shell of gas that spans the central degree of our Galaxy. It has been cited as evidence for a mass outflow from our GC region, which has inspired diverse models for its origin. However, most work has focused on the morphology of the GC lobe, which has made it difficult to draw strong conclusions about its nature. Here, I present a coherent, multiwavelength analysis of new and archival observations of the GC lobe. New radio continuum observations show that the entire structure has a similar spectral index, indicating that it has a common origin. The radio continuum emission shows that the GC lobe has a magnetized layer with a diameter of 110 pc and an equipartition field strength ranging from 40 to 100 μG. I show that optical and radio recombination line emission are associated with the GC lobe and are consistent with being located in the GC region. The recombination line emission traces an ionized shell nested within the radio continuum with diameter of 80 pc and height 165 pc. Mid-infrared maps at 8 and 15 μm show that the GC lobe has a third layer of warm dust and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-emission that surrounds the radio continuum shell with a diameter of 130 pc. Assuming adiabatic expansion of the gas in the GC lobe, its formation required an energy input of about 5 × 10 52 ergs. I compare the physical conditions of the GC lobe to several models and find best agreement with the canonical starburst outflow model. The formation of the GC lobe is consistent with the currently observed pressure and star formation rate in the central tens of parsecs of our Galaxy. Outflows of this scale are more typical of dwarf galaxies and would not be easily detected in nearby spiral galaxies. Thus, the existence of such an outflow in our own Galaxy may indicate that it is a relatively common phenomenon in the nuclei of spiral galaxies.

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Crossref · 10.1088/0004-637x/708/1/474

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  • The power for the 450-pc radio loops can be produced by the central SMBH given an accretion rate of ~10^-7 M⊙/yr (assuming efficiency 0.1) or by a total of ~500 SNe over the dynamical time (equivalent to SFR ~0.01 M⊙/yr) at the Galactic Center.

    “The power can be produced by the central SMBH given an accretion rate of ˙ M ∼ 10 -7 M ⊙ yr -1 (assuming, an efficiency factor of 0 . 1) or a total of ∼ 500 SNe over the dynamical time (equivalent to a star-formation rate of ∼ 0 . 01 M ⊙ yr -1 ) at the GC (Chevalier 1992; Law 2010; Zhang et al. 2021).”

    From The Fermi/eROSITA bubbles: a look into the nuclear outflow from the Milky Way (2024) · cites this paper as Law 2010

    Section 4.1 says supernovae could supply the energy to form the Galactic Center lobe, and §4.2 considers Sgr A* as a possible outflow source. But the paper describes a roughly 140-pc lobe, estimates about 100 supernovae during its formation, and does not give the claimed SMBH accretion rate, 500-supernova total, or equivalent star-formation rate. Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Reid, M. J. 1993, ARA&A, 31, 345 · DOI

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Authors
Law, C. J.
Affiliations
University of California, Berkeley (US)
Corresponding author
Law, C. J.
ORCID
Law, C. J.
Venue
The Astrophysical Journal
Publisher
American Astronomical Society
Published
2009-12-11
Volume
708
Issue
1
Pages
474-484
ISSN
  • 0004-637X (ISSN-L)
  • 1538-4357
DOI
10.1088/0004-637x/708/1/474
OpenAlex
W2764503200
Cited by
45
References
71
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2021: 4 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 3
FWCI
1.68
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The Astrophysical Journal (publishedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University) (submittedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University)
Funders
  • National Science Foundation
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Nuclear and High Energy Physics › Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena
Keywords
mass outflow, Galactic Center, radio continuum emission, equipartition magnetic field, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, warm dust, adiabatic expansion, star formation rate

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