The Dynamically Disturbed Central Molecular Zone
Dr. Dani Lipman
Abstract: The extreme kinematics of the Milky Way's Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) are influenced by processes such as dynamical shearing, cloud collisions, and stellar feedback. The mass flows in this region are innately tied to its unexplained low star formation rate, projected gas asymmetries, and the transportation of material further inwards towards the supermassive black hole at the center. New observations from the ALMA CMZ Exploration Survey (ACES) provide unprecedented details covering the entire inner 2 degrees of the Galaxy at sub-parsec resolutions in dozens of molecular tracers. We utilize these data to catalog large disturbances in the average CMZ gas flows, such as high velocity dispersion compact clouds (HVCCs). We use both visual and algorithmic methods to identify 235 HVCC candidates in shocked ACES CS (2-1) gas, and characterize their kinematic morphologies. I will also briefly introduce future endeavors to combine MHD simulations with ALMA and JWST observations to study inflow from 100 to 10pc-scale orbits.
Bio: Dani Lipman is a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Connecticut working in the Milky Way Laboratory with Cara Battersby. She graduated with her Bachelors in Physics & Astronomy from the University of Iowa, having explored research topics related to planetary space physics and emission from radio-loud stars. In 2019, she received a Fulbright Research award to study motivations for engaging in science outreach by university professors in Nanjing, China. She received her PhD in Physics from UConn in 2026. Dani seeks to answer how dynamics and physical parameters work together to regulate star formation and galaxy evolution. Dani is heavily involved in outreach, co-founding the Astronomy on Tap - Storrs satellite, and participating as a co-lead for the Science, Technology, and Astronomy Recruits (STARs) undergraduate professional development program. Outside of science, Dani is an avid baker, gardener, and musician.
To participate in this event virtually via Zoom, go to https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/91226290867?pwd=mCGHMM8C7GwPxGAVr2pk5tIhboh97E.1.