Abstract
Using adaptive optics at the Gemini North telescope, we have obtained a K-band spectrum of the star near the center of the luminous Galactic center bow shock IRS 8, as well as a spectrum of the bow shock itself. The stellar spectrum contains emission and absorption lines characteristic of an O5-O6 giant or supergiant. The wind from such a star is fully capable of producing the observed bow shock. However, both the early spectral type and the apparently young age of the star, if it is single, mark it as unique among hot stars within 1 pc of the center.
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Based on data obtained at the Gemini Observatory, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under a cooperative agreement with the NSF on behalf of the Gemini partnership: the National Science Foundation (US), the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (UK), the National Research Council (Canada), CONICYT (Chile), the Australian Research Council (Australia), CNPq (Brazil), and CONICET (Argentina).