Observational Evidence for a Bar in the Milky Way
Abstract
Description
Evidence from a variety of sources points towards the existence of a bar in the central few kpc of the Galaxy. The measurements roughly agree on the direction of the bar major axis, but other parameters (axis ratio, size, pattern speed) are still poorly determined. Current dynamical models are limited by the quality of hydro simulations, the degeneracy of stellar orbit models, stellar-kinematic data and the significant lopsidedness of the central kpc. Microlensing promises new constraints on the mass distribution in the bulge/bar region.
12 pages, latex using paspconf.sty (included) and epsf.sty, 4 figures. Invited review at IAU symposium 157, "Barred Galaxies" Replaced version contains corrected reference list
12 pages, latex using paspconf.sty (included) and epsf.sty, 4 figures. Invited review at IAU symposium 157, "Barred Galaxies" Replaced version contains corrected reference list