A Kpc Scale Molecular Wave in the Inner Galaxy: Feather of the Milky Way?

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of a massive, kpc-scale, wave-like molecular filament in the inner Galaxy, likely a spiral arm feature or inter-arm structure, with a distinctive sinusoidal shape and significant length.

Contribution

It presents the first identification of a large, wave-shaped molecular structure in the Milky Way, expanding understanding of galactic filamentary features.

Findings

Structure spans 2-4 kpc in length.

Displays a sinusoidal vertical distribution.

Likely a spiral arm sub-branch or inter-arm filament.

Abstract

We report the discovery of a velocity coherent, kpc-scale molecular structure towards the Galactic center region with an angular extent of 30deg and an aspect ratio of 60:1. The kinematic distance of the CO structure ranges between 4.4 to 6.5 kpc. Analysis of the velocity data and comparison with the existing spiral arm models support that a major portion of this structure is either a sub-branch of the Norma arm or an inter-arm giant molecular filament, likely to be a kpc-scale feather (or spur) of the Milky Way, similar to those observed in nearby spiral galaxies. The filamentary cloud is at least 2.0 kpc in extent, considering the uncertainties in the kinematic distances, and it could be as long as 4 kpc. The vertical distribution of this highly elongated structure reveals a pattern similar to that of a sinusoidal wave. The exact mechanisms responsible for the origin of such a kpc-scale filament and its wavy morphology remains unclear. The distinct wave-like shape and its peculiar orientation makes this cloud, named as the Gangotri wave, one of the largest and most intriguing structures identified in the Milky Way.