Abstract
Using published H I survey data, we have examined the Galactic rotation curve. We find that the curve is linear from R/R/sub 0/=0.5 to 1.0, and obtain a value of AR/sub 0/ of 110 km s/sup -1/. Combined with H I data for R>R/sub 0/ (see paper I), these results suggest that: (1) The distance to the galactic center, R/sub 0/, is lower than the standard IAU value of 10 kpc; more likely, R/sub 0/approx.8.5 kpc; (2) The rotation curve is nearly flat near R/sub 0/; (3) The local circular velocity THETA/sub 0/, approx.220 km s/sup -1/. We use these parameters to estimate the Galaxy's H I mass (approx.2 x 10/sup 9/M/sub sun/), luminosity (1.7 x 10/sup 10/ L/sub sun/), and Hubble type (Sbc II). The timing argument applied to the motions of the Local Group suggests that the Galaxy's total mass is approx.10/sup 12/ M/sub sun/.
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