Massive stars in the galactic center

Abstract

We present results of two studies aiming at better understanding the properties of massive stars in the Galactic Center. We focus on the youngest and oldest of the three massive clusters harboring this region, namely the Arches and central cluster. We show that the development of powerful observational techniques in the near infrared spectral range (mainly 3D spectroscopy) allows to uncover the entire massive star population in these clusters. Using CMFGEN models, we derive the classical stellar and wind properties of 46 stars, as well as their surface abundances. The latter allow us to investigate in detail their evolutionary status and to identify evolutionary sequences between different types of stars. We thus constrain stellar evolution in the upper part of the HR diagram. © 2008 Copyright International Astronomical Union 2008.