Hypervelocity Stars and the Galactic Center
Astrophysics
2008-11-05 v1
Abstract
A summary of the current knowledge on hypervelocity stars (HVSs). HVSs are fascinating because their properties are linked to Sgr A* and the stellar environment of the Galactic Center. Observing the distribution of HVSs can address: 1) the nature of the black hole ejection mechanism, 2) the in-fall history of stars onto Sgr A*, 3) the types of stars orbiting Sgr A*, and 4) a unique measurement the shape of the Galaxy's dark matter potential. The challenge to observers is to find new HVSs and strengthen the connection between HVSs and the Galactic Center.
Cite
@article{arxiv.0811.0571,
title = {Hypervelocity Stars and the Galactic Center},
author = {Warren R. Brown},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0811.0571},
year = {2008}
}
Comments
10 pages, invited review published in the Galactic Center Newsletter at http://www.aoc.nrao.edu/~gcnews/