Warm molecular gas in the Galactic center region

Abstract

We present some recent studies on the physical conditions and the chemistry of the interstellar medium (ISM) in the Galactic center region (GCR). Large scale shocks in the context of a bar potential can play a role in explaining the observed properties, at least in some particular regions. Alternatively, we propose that the observed properties (inhomogeneity, high temperatures of the molecular gas, rich chemistry,...) of the GCR ISM can be the consequence of the recent past ($10^6-10^7$ years ago) of massive star formation in the GCR.

Slightly enlarged version of the Contribution to the conference "The evolution of galaxies II: basic building blocks", Eds. Sauvage, Vigroux, Schaerer, Madden. 2 pages

Cited by in corpus (4)

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• Living on the edge of the Central Molecular Zone: G1.3 is the more likely candidate for gas accretion into the CMZ