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2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

Star Formation Rates in the Galactic Center of the Milky Way

Research Project

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Project/Area Number 18K13589
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists

Allocation TypeMulti-year Fund
Review Section Basic Section 16010:Astronomy-related
Research InstitutionNational Astronomical Observatory of Japan

Principal Investigator

Lu Xing  国立天文台, アルマプロジェクト, 特任研究員 (40794425)

Project Period (FY) 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
KeywordsGalactic Center / Star Formation Rate / Central Molecular Zone
Outline of Final Research Achievements

I used high resolution interferometer observations to study the star formation activities in the so-called Central Molecular Zone around the center of our Galaxy. I found that the star formation rate of the whole Central Molecular Zone as well as those of most individual molecular clouds in the Central Molecular Zone are at least 10 times lower than expected. I also found that star formation at small spatial scales (smaller than 0.3 light years) in this zone is just normal. Therefore, the key of the inefficient star formation in this zone must be in the large spatial scales (a few light years and larger), for example, strong turbulence that presents the clouds from collapsing.

Free Research Field

Astronomy

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

The research provides new insights into star formation in the extreme environments in the Central Molecular Zone, and changes the preconception that the Central Molecular Zone around our Galactic Center is not suitable for star formation.

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Published: 2022-01-27  

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