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Abstract We determine the mid-infrared (MIR, ∼5–22μm) extinction toward the Galactic center using MIRI/Medium-Resolution Spectrometer (MRS) integral field unit observations of the central 3″ × 3″ region (near 5μm) to 7″ × 7″ region (near 22μm). To measure the MIR extinction, we employ two approaches: modeling the intrinsic-to-observed dust thermal spectrum and assessing the differential extinction between hydrogen recombination lines. Expanding on prior work, we directly model the dust-opacity distribution along the line of sight, and we make available a Python code that provides a flexible tool for deriving intrinsic dust emission spectra. We confirm the spatial variability of extinction across the field, demonstrating that dusty sources—such as IRS 29N—exhibit higher local extinction. Furthermore, we verify the absence of emission features from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the MIR spectra of the Galactic center. Using the two complementary methods, we derive a refined “best guess” MIR extinction law for Sgr A* and the surrounding Galactic-center region. By applying the extinction law to an MIR flare measurement discussed in a companion paper, we estimate a residual relative extinction uncertainty for the short MIRI/MRS grating of the order of 0.2 mag from ∼5 to ∼18μm and ∼0.3 mag from ∼18 to ∼22μm, consistent with our uncertainty estimate. 

ABSTRACT Bok globules are small, dense clouds that act as isolated precursors for the formation of single or binary stars. Although recent dust polarization surveys, primarily with Planck, have shown that molecular clouds are strongly magnetized, the significance of magnetic fields in Bok globules has largely been limited to individual case studies, lacking a broader statistical understanding. In this work, we introduce a comprehensive optical polarimetric survey of 21 Bok globules. Using Gaia and near-infrared (IR) photometric data, we produce extinction maps for each target. Using the radiative torque alignment model customized to the physical properties of the Bok globule, we characterize the polarization efficiency of one representative globule as a function of its visual extinction. We thus find our optical polarimetric data to be a good probe of the globule’s magnetic field. Our statistical analysis of the orientation of elongated extinction structures relative to the plane-of-sky magnetic field orientations shows they do not align strictly parallel or perpendicular. Instead, the data is best explained by a bimodal distribution, with structures oriented at projected angles that are either parallel or perpendicular. The plane-of-sky magnetic field strengths on the scales probed by optical polarimetric data are measured using the Davis–Chandrasekhar–Fermi technique. We then derive magnetic properties such as Alfvén Mach numbers and mass-to-magnetic flux ratios. Our findings statistically place the large-scale (A$$_{\mathrm{V}} < 7 \, \text{mag}$$) magnetic properties of Bok globules in a dynamically important domain. 

Abstract JWST/MIRI observations can place photometric limits on the presence of an intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH) near the Galactic Centre. The stellar complex IRS 13E, a co-moving conglomerate of young and massive stars, is a prime location to study because it has been speculated to be bound by an IMBH. Assuming a standard radiatively inefficient accretion flow (RIAF) and a minimum fractional variability of 10% of the intrinsic luminosity, the wavelength of peak emission in the spectral energy distribution for an IMBH would lie in the mid-infrared (∼5–25μm), and the variability would be detectable in MIRI time-series observations. Monitoring fails to detect such variable emission (other than from Sgr A*) in and around the IRS 13E complex, and upper limits on a putative IMBH’s intrinsic variability on timescales of minutes to ∼1 hr are ≲ 1 mJy at 12μm and ≲2 mJy at 19μm. These translate to luminosities ≲ 25 × 10³²erg s⁻¹. The resulting limits on the IMBH mass and accretion rate rule out any IMBH with mass ≳10³M_⊙accreting at ≳10⁻⁶times Eddington rate at the location of IRS 13E. Further, the observations rule out an IMBH anywhere in the central 6″ × 6″ region that is more massive than ≈ 2 × 10³M_⊙and accreting at ≥10⁻⁶of the Eddington rate. Assuming Bondi accretion scaled to typical RIAF-accretion efficiencies, albeit somewhat uncertain, also allows us to rule out IMBHs moving with typical velocities ∼200 km s⁻¹and masses ≳ 2 × 10³M_⊙. These methods showcase the effectiveness of photometric variability measurements in constraining the presence of accreting black holes in Galactic centre-like environments. 

Abstract S. D. von Fellenberg et al. reported the first mid-infrared detection of a flare from Sgr A*. The JWST/MIRI/Medium Resolution Spectrometer observations were consistent with an orbiting hotspot undergoing electron injection with a spectrum that subsequently breaks from synchrotron cooling. However, mid-infrared extinction measurements appropriate for these data were not yet determined, and, therefore, the temporal evolution of the absolute spectral index remained unknown. This work applies new Sgr A* extinction measurements to the flare observations. The evolution of the spectral index after the peak is fully consistent with that reported in Paper I with a maximum absolute mid-infrared spectral indexα_MIR= 0.45 ± 0.01_stat± 0.08_sysduring the second mid-infrared flare peak, matching the known near-infrared spectral index during bright states (α_NIR≈ 0.5). There was a near-instantaneous change in the mid-infrared spectral index of Δα_MIR= 0.33 ± 0.06_stat± 0.11_sysat the flare onset. We propose this as a quantitative definition for this infrared flare’s beginning, physically interpreted as the underlying electron distribution’s transition into a hard power-law distribution. This paper also reports the Submillimeter Array millimeter polarization during the flare, which shows a small, distorted, but overall CW-oriented StokesQ–Uloop during the third mid-infrared peak. Extrapolating the mid-infrared flux power law to the millimeter yields a variable flux consistent with the observed 220 GHz emission. These results, together with the Paper I modeling, plausibly suggest a single hotspot produced both the mid-infrared and millimeter variability during this event. However, additional flares are required to make a general statement about the millimeter and mid-infrared connection. 

Abstract The time-variable emission from the accretion flow of Sgr A*, the supermassive black hole at the Galactic center, has long been examined in the radio-to-millimeter, near-infrared (NIR), and X-ray regimes of the electromagnetic spectrum. However, until now, sensitivity and angular resolution have been insufficient in the crucial mid-infrared (MIR) regime. The MIRI instrument on JWST has changed that, and we report the first MIR detection of Sgr A*. The detection was during a flare that lasted about 40 minutes, a duration similar to NIR and X-ray flares, and the source's spectral index steepened as the flare ended. The steepening suggests that synchrotron cooling is an important process for Sgr A*'s variability and implies magnetic fields strengths ~ 40–70 G in the emission zone. Observations at 1.3 mm with the Submillimeter Array revealed a counterpart flare lagging the MIR flare by ≈10 minutes. The observations can be self-consistently explained as synchrotron radiation from a single population of gradually cooling high-energy electrons accelerated through (a combination of) magnetic reconnection and/or magnetized turbulence. 

Abstract During the first half of the fourth observing run (O4a) of the International Gravitational Wave Network, the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) conducted a systematic search for kilonova (KN) counterparts to binary neutron star (BNS) and neutron star–black hole (NSBH) merger candidates. Here, we present a comprehensive study of the five high-significance (False Alarm Rate less than 1 yr⁻¹) BNS and NSBH candidates in O4a. Our follow-up campaigns relied on both target-of-opportunity observations and re-weighting of the nominal survey schedule to maximize coverage. We describe the toolkit we have been developing,Fritz, an instance ofSkyPortal, instrumental in coordinating and managing our telescope scheduling, candidate vetting, and follow-up observations through a user-friendly interface. ZTF covered a total of 2841 deg²within the skymaps of the high-significance GW events, reaching a median depth ofg≈ 20.2 mag. We circulated 15 candidates, but found no viable KN counterpart to any of the GW events. Based on the ZTF non-detections of the high-significance events in O4a, we used a Bayesian approach,nimbus, to quantify the posterior probability of KN model parameters that are consistent with our non-detections. Our analysis favors KNe with initial absolute magnitude fainter than −16 mag. The joint posterior probability of a GW170817-like KN associated with all our O4a follow-ups was 64%. Additionally, we use a survey simulation software,simsurvey, to determine that our combined filtered efficiency to detect a GW170817-like KN is 36%, when considering the 5 confirmed astrophysical events in O3 (1 BNS and 4 NSBH events), along with our O4a follow-ups. Following Kasliwal et al., we derived joint constraints on the underlying KN luminosity function based on our O3 and O4a follow-ups, determining that no more than 76% of KNe fading at 1 mag day⁻¹can peak at a magnitude brighter than −17.5 mag.