A Chemical Portrait of the Milky Way’s Heart: Mapping the Elements of the Nuclear Stellar Disc
Ryde et al. analyze nine stars in the Milky Way’s Nuclear Stellar Disc, measuring 18 chemical elements using infrared spectroscopy. Their results show strong chemical similarities between the NSD, Nuclear Star Cluster, and inner bulge, suggesting shared evolutionary histories. Sodium stands out with uniquely high levels, possibly linking the NSD to metal-rich clusters like Liller 1.
Exploring Galactic Sub-Structures: A Look into the GECKOS Survey of Edge-On Galaxies
The GECKOS Survey examines edge-on, Milky Way-like galaxies to understand the structures and kinematics within them, focusing on features like boxy-peanut bulges and bars. Using high-resolution imaging and the nGIST pipeline for data analysis, researchers identified diverse kinematic patterns and evidence of nuclear discs, revealing how these sub-structures influence galaxy shape and evolution. The findings suggest that kinematic mapping provides a richer view of galaxy morphology than imaging alone, supporting a complex, modern understanding of galactic structure.