NIR spectroscopic obs. in the Galactic Center

The projected surface density of late-type stars is also measured and found to be consistent with previous results. We find that the observed early-type surface-density profile is inconsistent with the theory of young stars originating from a tightly bound infalling cluster, as no significant trail of young stars is found at radii above 13". We also note that either a simple disk instability criterion or a cloud-cloud collision could explain the location of the outer edge, though we lack information to make conclusive remarks on either alternative.

If this break in surface density represents an edge to the young stellar cluster, it would set an important scale for the most recent episode of star formation at the Galactic center.