Galactic center molecular clouds. I - Spatial and spatial-velocity maps

Maps showing the distribution of molecular gas in the Galactic center region are presented. The molecular transitions surveyed include: (C-13)O J = 1-0 over a region 10 deg in extent in l and 1.2 deg in extent in b, the CS J = 2-1 mapped over a 5 deg region between l = -1 deg and 3.7 deg and 0.8 deg in extent in b, the J = 1-0 (C-18)O, J(k, k-prime) = 5(05)-4(04) HNCO lines in the vicinity of Sgr A, and the J = 6-5 CH3CN emission lines at 110.38 GHz around Sgr A and Sgr B2. The (C-13)O and CS maps show that molecular emission is widespread in the inner 500 pc of the Galaxy, even in regions well away from Sgr A around Sgr B2. The other molecules trace the dense material near Sgr A and Sgr B2.