Abstract
Abstract
We present the first observational constraint on the Brackett-γ (Brγ) recombination line emission associated with the supermassive black hole at the center of our Galaxy, known as Sgr A*. By combining 13 yr of data with the adaptive optics fed integral field spectrograph OSIRIS at the W. M. Keck Observatory obtained as part of the Galactic Center Orbits Initiative, we extract the near-infrared spectrum within ∼0.2″ of the black hole and we derive an upper limit on the Brγ flux. The aperture was set to match the size of the disk-like structure that was recently reported based on millimeter-wave Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations of the hydrogen recombination line, H30α. Our stringent upper limit is at least a factor of 80 (and up to a factor of 245) below what would be expected from the ALMA measurements and strongly constrains possible interpretation of emission from this highly underluminous supermassive black hole.
Funder
National Science Foundation
Publisher
American Astronomical Society
Subject
Space and Planetary Science,Astronomy and Astrophysics
Cited by
3 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献