Keck Observations of the Galactic Center Source G2: Gas Cloud or Star?

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We present new observations and analysis of G2 - the intriguing red emission-line object which is quickly approaching the Galaxy's central black hole.

• The observations were obtained with the laser guide star adaptive optics systems on the W.
• M.
• Keck I and II telescopes and include spectroscopy (R ~ 3600) centered on the Hydrogen Br-gamma line as well as K' (2.1 micrometer) and L' (3.8 micrometer) imaging.