Dr Wilfred Walsh (Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics)

The AST/RO survey of the Galactic Center region - Dr Wilfred Walsh Colloquium

ATNF Marsfield Lecture Theatre

Abstract

The AST/RO sub-mm telescope, located at the South Pole, has been used to survey the innermost three square degrees of the Galactic Center region. Over the past two winter seasons, we have observed CO(4-3), CO(7-6) and two [CI] lines in the 460-490GHz and 800-810GHz atmospheric windows. Line ratios have been used to estimate kinetic temperatures and molecular hydrogen volume densities. I shall present this newly-obtained dataset and conclude with a short account of life at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.