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arXiv · 1610.02437

The late-type stellar density profile in the Galactic Center: A statistical approach

Samantha N. Chappell·Andrea M. Ghez·Tuan Do·Gregory D. Martinez·Sylvana Yelda·Breann N. Sitarski·Jessica R. Lu·Mark R. Morris
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Abstract

The late-type stellar population in the Galactic Center was first predicted to reside in a dynamically relaxed cusp (power law slope ranging from 3/2 to 7/4). However, observations - which rely on models to correct for projection effects - have suggested a flat distribution instead. The need for this correction is due to the lack of information regarding the line-of-sight distances. With a two decade long baseline in astrometric measurements, we are now able to measure significant projected radial accelerations, six of which are newly reported here, that directly constrain line-of-sight distances. Here we present a statistical approach to take advantage of this information and more accurately constrain the shape of the radial density profile of the late-type stellar population in the Galactic Center.

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Samantha N. Chappell, Andrea M. Ghez, Tuan Do, Gregory D. Martinez, Sylvana Yelda, Breann N. Sitarski, Jessica R. Lu, Mark R. Morris. 2016-10-07. The late-type stellar density profile in the Galactic Center: A statistical approach. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1743921316012187

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