Detections of SiO Masers from the Large-Amplitude Variables in the Galactic Nuclear Disk

We have surveyed known large-amplitude variables within 15' of the Galacticcenter in the SiO J=1-0 v=1 and 2 maser lines at 43 GHz, resulting in 79detections and 58 non-detections. The detection rate of 58 percent iscomparable to that obtained in Bulge IRAS source surveys. SiO lines were alsodetected from four other sources near the program objects. The SiO detectionrate increases steeply with the period, particularly for stars with P>500 d,where it exceeds 80%. We found at a given period that the SiO detection rate isapproximately double that for OH. These facts suggest that the large-amplitudevariables in the Nuclear Disk region are AGB stars similar in their overallproperties to the inner and outer bulge IRAS/SiO sources.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, 1 Table. PASJ 54, No 2 April 25 issue in pres