University of Tasmania
Browse
published_paper.pdf (593.7 kB)

The environment of the strongest galactic methanol maser

Download (593.7 kB)
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 09:38 authored by Sanna, A, Menten, KM, Carrasco-Gonzalez, C, Reid, MJ, Simon EllingsenSimon Ellingsen, Brunthaler, A, Moscadelli, L, Cesaroni, R, Krishnan, V
The high-mass star-forming site G009.62+00.20 E hosts the 6.7 GHz methanol maser source with the greatest flux density in the Galaxy which has been flaring periodically over the last 10 yr. We performed high-resolution astrometric measurements of the CH3OH, H2O, and OH maser emission and 7 mm continuum in the region. The radio continuum emission was resolved in two sources separated by 1300 AU. The CH3OH maser cloudlets are distributed along two north–south ridges of emission to the east and west of the strongest radio continuum component. This component likely pinpoints a massive young stellar object which heats up its dusty envelope, providing a constant IR pumping for the Class II CH3OH maser transitions. We suggest that the periodic maser activity may be accounted for by an independent, pulsating, IR radiation field provided by a bloated protostar in the vicinity of the brightest masers. We also report the discovery of an elliptical distribution of CH3OH maser emission in the region of periodic variability.

History

Publication title

The Astrophysical Journal Letters

Volume

804

Article number

L2

Number

L2

Pagination

1-7

ISSN

2041-8205

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd.

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Rights statement

Copyright 2015. The American Astronomical Society.

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the physical sciences

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC