The infrared<i>L</i><i>'</i>-band view of the Galactic Center with NAOS-CONICA at VLT

Abstract

We report on Galactic Center L'-band observations made during NAOS/CONICA Science Verification. Colors of the inner 2´´ stars reveal an infrared excess of S2, the closest star to the black hole, that could sign the first thermal infrared detection of Sgr A*. A multi-wavelength maximum likelihood analysis has allowed us to eliminate all but two of the candidates for gravitational lensing proposed by [CITE]. Our observations of the thin and intersecting structures of the Northern Arm could trace several shocks heating the neighbooring dust rather than a stream of matter in orbit around the central mass as previously thought.