The galactic centre (invited review)

Recent observations of the galactic centre at radio and infrared wavelengths are reviewed. Particular emphasis is placed on the new large scale radio structures — the galactic centre lobe, and the filamentary ribbon structures in the radio arc — which have just been reported. New observations of the two parsec ring of molecular hydrogen, and the relationship of the ring to the interior distribution of ionised gas are discussed. The kinematis and distribution of neutral material, shocked molecular hydrogen and plasma in the inner few parsecs of the nucleus are considered in terms of a central luminous mass-losing object, together with rotation and infall of the neutral material.Paper presented at the IAU Third Asian-Pacific Regional Meeting, held in Kyoto, Japan, between 30 September–6 October, 1984.