Description
Nuclear star clusters (NSCs) are ubiquitous at the centers of galaxies. They show mixed stellar populations and the spectra of many NSCs indicate recent events of star formation. However, it is impossible to resolve external NSCs in order to examine the relevant processes. The Milky Way NSC, on the other hand, is close enough to be resolved into its individual stars and presents therefore a unique template for NSCs in general. Young, massive stars have been found by systematic spectroscopic studies at projected distances R<~0.5pc from the supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*). In recent years, increasing evidence has been found for the presence of young, massive stars also at R>0.5pc. Our goal in this work is a systematic search for young, massive star candidates throughout the entire region within R~2.5pc of the black hole.
|