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E. V. Gotthelf (Columbia U.), Q. D. Wang, C. C. Lang (U. of Massachusetts), F. Jagodzinski (Columbia U.)
We present the first large-scale, high spatial resolution (1 arcsecond) X-ray image-spectroscopy of the central 2 X 1 degree of the Galaxy. We have mapped the inner Galaxy using a series of 30 X 12 ks overlapping rastered pointings obtained with the ACIS CCD camera on-board the Chandra X-ray Observatory. In this poster we detail our observation strategy, standard reduction, and preliminary imaging, spectral, and timing analysis. We have detected over 1000 discrete X-ray sources whose composite spectrum indicates the presence of numerous accreting white dwarfs, neutron stars, and/or black holes in the region. Using CTI corrected spectral data we generate a series of color encoded energy maps by which to identify various classes of objects and their spatial distribution. By removing photons from an aperture surrounding each detected point-like X-ray source we are able to create maps and spectra of the diffuse X-ray emission. These maps trace the hot plasma around the Galactic Center region and are compared to those at other wavelengths. This rich data set provides an important input for modeling of the Galactic Center emission and is destined to become one of the great legacies of the Chandra program.