The Galactic Center compared with nuclei of nearby galaxies

TL;DR

This paper compares the Milky Way's Galactic Center with nearby galaxy nuclei, discussing star formation, AGN activity, and feedback mechanisms to understand galactic core evolution.

Contribution

It provides a comparative review of nuclear activity, feedback, and structural modes between our Galactic Center and other galaxy nuclei, highlighting similarities and differences.

Findings

Galactic Center shows evidence of past activity and feedback.

Nuclear gas disks exhibit m=2 and m=1 modes, indicating dynamic structures.

Comparison reveals both commonalities and unique features in galactic nuclei.

Abstract

Understanding our Galactic Center is easier with insights from nearby galactic nuclei. Both the star formation activity in nuclear gas disks, driven by bars and nuclear bars, and the fueling of low-luminosity AGN, followed by feedback of jets, driving molecular outflows, were certainly present in our Galactic Center, which now appears to be quenched. Comparisons and diagnostics are reviewed, in particular of m=2 and m=1 modes, lopsidedness, different disk orientations, and fossil evidences of activity and feedback.