Ionized Gas in the SgrA Complex - VLA Observations of H168alpha and H270alpha Recombination Lines

Radio recombination lines at a wavelength of 20 cm reveals the presence of an extended component of ionized gas of lower density in the Sgr A complex. This component extends well beyond the thermal `mini-spiral' SgrA-West, which seem to be embedded in it. The low-density component is present over the entire extent of SgrA East and possibly beyond and it is responsible for the turnover in the spectrum of SgrA East and the halo observed by Pedlar et al (1989) at 90 cm. The radial velocity of the extended ionized gas range from +50 km/s to -200 km/s with minima of emission near -50 and -150 km/s. The total mass of the low-density component is estimated to be 10^4 solar masses. A possible extended feature at a high velocity of 470 km/s is also detected, but needs further observations to confirm it.