Evidence for an interaction between the Galactic Center clouds M0.10-0.08 and M0.11-0.11

We present high-resolution (~2-3"; ~0.1 pc) radio observations of the Galactic center cloud M0.10-0.08 using the Very Large Array at K and Ka band (~25 and 36 GHz). The M0.10-0.08 cloud is located in a complex environment near the Galactic center Radio Arc and the adjacent M0.11-0.11 molecular cloud. From our data, M0.10-0.08 appears to be a compact molecular cloud (~3 pc) that contains multiple compact molecular cores (5+; <0.4 pc). In this study we detect a total of 15 molecular transitions in M0.10-0.08 from the following molecules: NH3, HC3N, CH3OH, HC5N, CH3CN, and OCS. We have identified more than sixty 36 GHz CH3OH masers in M0.10-0.08 with brightness temperatures above 400 K and 31 maser candidates with temperatures between 100-400 K. We conduct a kinematic analysis of the gas using NH3 and detect multiple velocity components towards this region of the Galactic center. The bulk of the gas in this region has a velocity of 51.5 km/s (M0.10-0.08) with a lower velocity wing at 37.6 km/s. We also detect a relatively faint velocity component at 10.6 km/s that we attribute to being an extension of the M0.11-0.11 cloud. Analysis of the gas kinematics, combined with past X-ray fluorescence observations, suggests M0.10-0.08 and M0.11-0.11 are located in the same vicinity of the Galactic center and could be physically interacting.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

Molecular Gas Near Unusual Galactic Center Radio Source N3

Near the Galactic center, the presence of the supermassive black hole, high dust temperatures, and large densities produce an unique environment within our galaxy. Unfortunately, optical light in this region is obscured by dust, making optical observations difficult or impossible. By utilizing radio telescopes, we can peer through the dust to examine the inner workings of this fascinating region. Using the Very Large Array, we examined the Galactic center radio source N3, a point source located within the Radio Arc. Our observations examined both molecular line and continuum emission from the region at frequencies from 2 GHz to 49 GHz. Several molecular species are detected around N3. Using molecular line analysis, N3's spectral index, physical size limits, and possible interactions between N3 and the Radio Arc, we examine the physical nature of N3 and outline further work needed to complete the analysis of this interesting source