A New Estimate of the Best Value for the Solar Galactocentric Distance

TL;DR

This paper compiles recent estimates of the solar Galactocentric distance and calculates a recommended best value of approximately 8.1 kpc, providing a refined measurement for astronomical research.

Contribution

It introduces a new combined estimate of the solar Galactocentric distance based on recent data and multiple methods, updating the value used in galactic studies.

Findings

Weighted mean of 8.14 kpc with 0.16 kpc dispersion

Median estimate of 8.15 ± 0.11 kpc

Recommended value of 8.1 ± 0.1 kpc

Abstract

Using data from the literature, we made a list of individual estimates of the solar Galactocentric distance, which were performed after 2017 by different methods. These values have not yet been used to calculate the best value of mean $R_0$. For the sample containing 21 estimates, based on the standard approach, we found the weighted mean ${\overline R_0}=8.14$ kpc with the dispersion $\sigma=0.16$ kpc, and using the median statistics, we obtained the estimate $R_0=8.15\pm0.11$ kpc. For practical use, the value $R_0=8.1\pm0.1$ kpc can be recommended.