ALMA Detection of Extreme Blue-Shifted Ionized Gas Within 0.2 pc of Sgr A* from -480 to -300 km/s (1901.03715v1)

Abstract: We have used the capabilities of ALMA to probe the ionized gas towards the Galactic center with the H30alpha mm hydrogen recombination line within 30'' of the Galaxy's dynamical center. The observations are made with spatial and spectral resolutions of 0.46'' X 0.35'' and 3 km/s, respectively. Multiple compact and extended sources are detected in the mini-cavity region with extreme negative radial velocities ranging from -480 to -300 km/s, 2-3'' (0.08-0.12 pc) from Sgr A*. This is the highest radial velocity of ionized gas detected beyond the inner 1'' of Sgr A*. This new component is kinematically isolated from the orbiting ionized gas. The detected gas has a velocity gradient ranging from -50 to -200 km/s per arcsecond located to the southwest of Sgr A* at a position angle of roughly -160 degrees. Previous proper motion measurements in the immediate vicinity of these extreme high-velocity ionized components have been measured and show transverse velocities that range from 313 - 865 km/s. If we assume that they are associated with each other, then the total velocity implies these components are gravitationally unbound. In addition, we report the kinematics of cometary radio and infrared sources. These sources are diagonally distributed with a position angle of roughly 50 degrees within 14'' of Sgr A*. We interpret the highly blue-shifted features to the SW where the mini-cavity is located and red-shifted cometary sources to the NE in terms of the interaction of a collimated outflow with an opening angle of roughly 30 degrees. An expected mass outflow rate of 2E-7 or 4E-5 solar mass per yr is estimated by a relativistic jet-driven outflow or collimated stellar winds, respectively.