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The nucleus of IC 342 as a potential twin of the Galactic center

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 May 2014

David S. Meier
David S. Meier*
Affiliation:
New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology, 801 Leroy Pl., Socorro, NM 87801, USA email: [email protected] National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P. O. Box O, Socorro, NM 87801, USA
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Abstract

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The Galactic center (GC), being the closest nucleus, holds a position of privilege in the study of galaxy centers, but because it is edge-on and hidden behind 30 magnitudes of visual extinction it is often difficult to understand the overall structure of the region. Nearby galactic nuclei potentially provide a guide to understanding the large-scale structure of the GC. High resolution maps of molecular line emission along with radio and optical continuum towards the nucleus of the nearby, face-on spiral IC 342 are discussed. Attention is focused on a comparison of the large-scale morphology, gas chemistry, and star formation between the two nuclei. The case is made that IC 342 is one of the best extragalactic templates for the GC. Both have a star formation rate within a factor of two of each other and an ISM morphology characterized by a R 300 pc central molecular zone formed from a pair of arms laced with a collection of dense star forming molecular clouds. IC 342 also exhibits a nuclear cluster and associated circumnuclear disk. Whether the nuclear morphology and chemistry in IC 342 is an extension of the disk bar, a separate nuclear bar, or results from radiative/mechanical feedback remains unsettled.

Keywords

galaxies: individual (IC 342)galaxies: nucleiGalaxy: nucleusISM: structure
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 9 , Symposium S303: The Galactic Center: Feeding and Feedback in a Normal Galactic Nucleus , October 2013 , pp. 66 - 68
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2014 

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