MAPPING OF INFRARED HELIUM AND HYDROGEN LINE-PROFILES IN THE CENTRAL FEW ARCSECONDS OF THE GALAXY

Spectra of the helium 2.06-mu-m and hydrogen 2.17-mu-m lines, which were obtained on a grid of positions in the Sgr A*/IRS 16 region of the Galactic center, confirm the existence of an extended region of high-velocity redshifted line emission centered near these object. Relative to the rest of the Galactic center, the ionization state of this region appears to be high, as does the ionization state of some lower velocity gas in the vicinity of IRS 16NE. Important sources of ionizing UV radiation probably are located close to these two clouds.