Interstellar scattering toward the Galactic center as probed OH/IR stars

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (102) References (47) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Interstellar Scattering toward the Galactic Center as Probed by OH/IR Stars van Langevelde, Huib J. ; Frail, Dale A. ; Cordes, James M. ; Diamond, Philip J. Abstract Angular broadening measurements of 20 OH/IR stars near the Galactic center are reported. VLBA antennas and the VLA were employed to perform a MkII spectral line VLBI experiment. The distribution of interstellar scattering toward the Galactic center is determined on the basis of the present data, together with additional data taken from the literature. A region of pronounced scattering (525 mas at 1.612 GHz) nearly centered on Sgr A* was found. Two interpretations for the enhanced scattering are presented. One hypothesis is that the scattering is due to a clump of enhanced turbulence, such as those that lie along lines of sight to other known objects, that has no physical relationship to the Galactic center. The other model considers the location of the enhanced scattering to arise in the Galactic center itself. The physical implications of the models provide information on the nature of the interstellar scattering. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: September 1992 DOI: 10.1086/171750 Bibcode: 1992ApJ...396..686V Keywords: Electromagnetic Scattering; Electron Scattering; Galactic Nuclei; Infrared Stars; Interstellar Masers; Radiation Distribution; Angular Distribution; Hydroxyl Radicals; Line Spectra; Power Spectra; Stellar Envelopes; Very Long Base Interferometry; Astrophysics; STARS: CIRCUMSTELLAR MATTER; MASERS; TECHNIQUES: INTERFEROMETRIC full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (23)