A study of AFGL 5376 - an unusual extended infrared source near the Galactic center

Abstract

Observations are presented of (C-12)O J = 2-1 emission from AFGL 5376, an unusually warm and extended IRAS source located near the Galactic center lobe (GCL). To determine if AFGL 5376 is physically located near the Galactic center, the distribution and velocity of (C-12)O J = 2-1 emission from the AFGL 5376 and of a few nearby regions of the GCL were determined. Results indicate that AFGL is located near the Galactic center and is likely to be a part of the expanding molecular ring (EMR). The CO data also provide evidence in support of the hypothesis based on IRAS data that AFGL is interacting with the GCL. Thus, the key source appears to link the EMR and the GCL and is suggestive of a common origin for the two.