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From: Robert Coker  robc@ast.leeds.ac.uk 
To: Heino Falcke <hfalcke@mpifr-bonn.mpg.de>


%astro-ph/0106333

\title{The Stellar Winds of Galactic Centre and the Low Accretion Rate of Sgr A*}

\author{R.F. Coker}

\begin{abstract}
An attempt is made to reconcile the large wind-loss rates of stars in
the Galactic Centre (GC) with the predicted low accretion rate for Sgr
A*, the putative blackhole at the heart of the Milky Way.  It is found
that, independent of the details of the accretion, the bound but
unaccreted gas has been accumulating in the potential well of Sgr A* for
less than 1000 yrs and thus is not in equilibrium. Otherwise, the gas
flows of the region would be visible in both the IR and X-ray.  It appears
that the blackhole was more active in the recent past due to the passing
of a supernova blast shock but is presently in a short-lived dormant
phase.  The extended low frequency radio emission from the central parsec
should visibily increase over the next few decades, as the shock passes
completely in front of the absorbing gas and dust near Sgr A*.  The GC may
become more active in less than 10,000 yrs due to either another supernova
or sufficient accumulation of stellar winds in the central arcsecond.
\end{abstract}


-- 

Dr. Rob Coker (theoretical astrophysicist, fencer, expatriate)
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Phone:  +44-113-233-3805           Fax:  +44-113-233-3900
http://ast.leeds.ac.uk/~robc       E.C. Stoner Building, Rm 9.82
robc@ast.leeds.ac.uk               Department of Physics & Astronomy
University of Leeds                Leeds  LS2 9JT      UK
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