![]() ![]() The x-axis describes the year, while the y-axis features the distance to the Galactic center in kiloparsecs (image credit: Fig 1 from Malkin 2013/ arXiv/ ARep). The team notes that, “We estimate a distance to the Galactic center of … non-standard thus relieves a major bottleneck in Galactic bulge studies.” Various estimates for the distance to the Galactic center tabulated by Malkin 2013. ![]() The extinction law describes how dust causes objects to appear fainter as a function of the emitted wavelength of light, and hence relays important information pertaining to the dust properties. 2013 conclude that dust along the sight-line to the Galactic center is anomalous, thus causing a non-standard ‘ extinction law‘. The team argues that characterizing the nature of small dust particles is key to establishing the correct distance to the Galactic center, and such an analysis may mitigate the scatter among published estimates for that distance (shown in the figure below). They also look at accurately defining both the distance to the Galactic center and the reputed bar structure that encompasses it. ![]() Specifically, are dust particles lying toward the Galactic center different from their counterparts near the Sun? A new study led by David Nataf asserts that, yes, dust located towards the Galactic center is anomalous. The ongoing lively debate concerning this distance hinges partly on the nature of dust found along that sight-line. Obtaining an accurate distance between the Sun and the center of our Galaxy remains one of the principal challenges facing astronomers. ![]()
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