Discovery of large-scale methanol and hydroxyl maser filaments in W3(OH)

Images of the 6.7-GHz methanol maser emission from W3(OH) made at 50- and 100-mas angular resolution with the Multi-Element Radio-Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN) are presented. The masers lie across the western face of the ultracompact H  ii region in extended filaments which may trace large-scale shocks. There is a complex interrelation between the 6.7-GHz methanol masers and hydroxyl (OH) masers at 1.7 and 4.7 GHz. Together the two species trace an extended filamentary structure that stretches at least 3100 au across the face of the ultracompact H  ii region. The dominant 6.7-GHz methanol emission coincides with the radio continuum peak and is populated by masers with broad spectral lines. The 6.7-GHz methanol emission is elongated at position angle 50° with a strong velocity gradient, and bears many similarities to the methanol maser disc structure reported in NGC 7538. It is surrounded by arcs of ground state OH masers at 1.7 GHz and highly excited OH masers at 13.44 GHz, some of which have the brightest methanol masers at their focus. We suggest that this region hosts the excitation centre for the ultracompact H  ii region.     

Detection of new sources of methanol emission at 107 and 108 GHz with the Mopra telescope

A southern hemisphere survey of methanol emission sources in two millimetre-wave transitions has been carried out using the ATNF Mopra millimetre telescope. 16 emission sources have been detected in the 3₁–4₀ A⁺ transition of methanol at 107 GHz, including six new sources exhibiting class II methanol maser emission features. Combining these results with the similar northern hemisphere survey, a total of eleven 107-GHz methanol masers have been detected. A survey of the methanol emission in the 0₀–1₋₁ E transition at 108 GHz has resulted in the detection of 16 sources; one of them showing maser characteristics. This is the first methanol maser detected at 108 GHz, presumably of class II. The results of large velocity gradient statistical equilibrium calculations confirm the classification of these new sources as class II methanol masers.     

The relationship between class I and class II methanol masers

The Australia Telescope National Facility Mopra millimetre telescope has been used to search for 95.1-GHz class I methanol masers towards 62 6.6-GHz class II methanol masers. A total of 26 95.1-GHz masers were detected, 18 of these being new discoveries. Combining the results of this search with observations reported in the literature, a near complete sample of 66 6.6-GHz class II methanol masers has been searched in the 95.1-GHz transition, with detections towards 38 per cent (25 detections; not all of the sources studied in this paper qualify for the complete sample, and some of the sources in the sample were not observed in the present observations).
There is no evidence of an anticorrelation between either the velocity range, or peak flux density of the class I and II transitions, contrary to suggestions from previous studies. The majority of class I methanol maser sources have a velocity range that partly overlaps with the class II maser transitions. The presence of a class I methanol maser associated with a class II maser source is not correlated with the presence (or absence) of main-line OH or water masers. Investigations of the properties of the infrared emission associated with the maser sources shows no significant difference between those class II methanol masers with an associated class I maser and those without. This may be consistent with the hypothesis that the objects responsible for driving class I methanol masers are generally not those that produce main-line OH, water or class II methanol masers.     

A GLIMPSE-based search for 6.7-GHz methanol masers and the lifetime of their spectral features

The University of Tasmania Mt Pleasant 26-m and Ceduna 30-m radio telescopes have been used to search for 6.7-GHz class II methanol masers towards 200 GLIMPSE ( The Galactic Legacy Infrared Mid-Plane Survey Extraordinaire ) sources. The target regions were selected on the basis of their mid-infrared colours as being likely to be young high-mass star formation regions and are either bright at 8.0 μm, or have extreme [3.6]–[4.5] colour. Methanol masers were detected towards 38 sites, nine of these being new detections. The prediction was that approximately 20 new 6.7-GHz methanol masers would be detected within 3.5 arcmin of the target GLIMPSE sources, but this is the case for only six of the new detections. A number of possible reasons for the discrepancy between the predicted and actual number of new detections have been investigated. It was not possible to draw any firm conclusions as to the cause, but it may be because many of the target sources are at an evolutionary phase prior to that associated with 6.7-GHz methanol masers. Through comparison of the spectra collected as part of this search with those in the literature, the average lifetime of individual 6.7-GHz methanol maser spectral features is estimated to be around 150 yr, much longer than is observed for 22-GHz water masers.     

Radio continuum emission associated with Class II methanol maser sources

Class II methanol masers are believed to be associated with high-mass star formation. Recent observations by Walsh et al. and Phillips et al. reported a very low detection rate of radio continuum emission toward a large sample of 6.7-GHz methanol masers. These results raise questions about the evolutionary phase and/or the mass range of the exciting stars of the masers. Here we report the results of a VLA search for 8.4-GHz continuum emission from the area around five Class II methanol masers, four of which were not detected by Walsh et al. at 8.6 GHz. Radio continuum emission was detected in all five fields although only two of the nine maser spot groups in the five fields were found to be superimposed on radio continuum sources that appear to be ultra-compact H  ii (UCH  ii ) regions. This suggests that continuum counterparts for some masers might be found in further surveys for which the sensitivity level is lower than  1 mJy beam⁻¹  . Considering our results as well as observations from other studies of methanol masers we conclude that masers without radio continuum counterparts are most likely associated with high-mass stars in a very early evolutionary stage, either prior to the formation of a UCH  ii region or when the H  ii region is still optically thick at centimetre wavelengths. With one exception all maser spot groups in the five fields were found to be associated with mid-infrared objects detected in the Midcourse Space Experiment survey.     

A Possible Origin of 6.7 GHz Linear Methanol Maser Sources

LETTERS1 INTRODUCTIONNew1y formed massive stars are obscured by dust, and their clearest signature is oftenat radio frequencies from strong maser emission. Methanol maser emission arises from severaItransitions, the strongest being the 5o -- 61A line at 6.7 GHz, which is also the second strongestGalactic masers of any molecule, first reported by Meaten (1991) and recognized as typical ofClass II masers. CIass II methanol masers are always found in regions of receat massive starfOr…     

The association of OH and methanol masers in W3(OH)

We present single-baseline Multi-Element Radio-Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN) measurements of excited OH 6.0-GHz masers and methanol 6.7-GHz masers for the source W3(OH). These allow us to compare the positions of individual maser spots of these two species to ∼15 mas accuracy for the first time, and to compare these with previously published positions of ground-state OH masers near 1.7 GHz and excited-state OH masers near 4.7 GHz. There is a strong association between OH 6035-MHz and 1665-MHz masers. OH and methanol have very similar distributions, but associations of individual masers are relatively rare: most methanol 6.7-GHz masers are within 100 mas of OH 6.0-GHz masers, but only four methanol masers are within 15 mas of an OH 6.0-GHz maser. There are no correspondences of either species with excited OH 4.7-GHz masers. Zeeman splitting of the 6.0-GHz OH lines indicates an ordered magnetic field ranging from 3.2 to 14.4 mG. The magnetic fields estimated from co-propagating masers such as 6035 and 1665 MHz are generally in good agreement with each other.     

Testing the circumstellar disc hypothesis: a search for H2 outflow signatures from massive young stellar objects with linearly distributed methanol masers

The results of a survey searching for outflows using near-infrared imaging are presented. Targets were chosen from a compiled list of massive young stellar objects associated with methanol masers in linear distributions. Presently, it is a widely held belief that these methanol masers are found in (and delineate) circumstellar accretion discs around massive stars. If this scenario is correct, one way to test the disc hypothesis is to search for outflows perpendicular to the methanol maser distributions. The main objective of the survey was to obtain wide-field near-infrared images of the sites of linearly distributed methanol masers using a narrow-band 2.12-μm filter. This filter is centred on the  H₂ v = 1–0 S(1)  line; a shock diagnostic that has been shown to successfully trace CO outflows from young stellar objects. 28 sources in total were imaged of which 18 sources display H₂ emission. Of these, only two sources showed emission found to be dominantly perpendicular to the methanol maser distribution. Surprisingly, the H₂ emission in these fields is not distributed randomly, but instead the majority of sources are found to have H₂ emission dominantly parallel to their distribution of methanol masers. These results seriously question the hypothesis that methanol masers exist in circumstellar discs. The possibility that linearly distributed methanol masers are instead directly associated with outflows is discussed.     

Methanol masers at 107.0 and 156.6 GHz

From a search of more than 80 southern class II methanol maser sites, we report measurements of 22 masers at 107.0 GHz and four at 156.6 GHz, mostly new discoveries. Class II sites, recognized by their strong emission at the 6.6-GHz methanol transition, are indirect indicators of new-born massive stars, and several hundred have been documented; only a handful of these had previously been found to exhibit maser emission at the 107.0- or 156.6-GHz transition. The present survey increases the number of known 107.0-GHz masers to 25, providing a sufficiently large sample to assess their general properties. For the stronger ones, our position measurements confirm that, to an accuracy of 5 arcsec, they coincide with the dominant maser emission at 6.6 GHz. Intensity variations exceeding 50 per cent have occurred in some 107.0-GHz maser features that we observed in both 1996 October and 1998 June.
We find that masers are rare at the 156.6-GHz transition. Two new detections increase the total now known to four. Each 156.6-GHz maser is substantially weaker than its corresponding 107.0-GHz maser. Despite the scarcity of masers, our 156.6-GHz spectra at most observed sites show emission, but apparently of a quasi-thermal variety; it is usually accompanied by somewhat weaker thermal emission at 107.0 GHz, and the intensity ratio of the transitions allows us to begin exploration of the physical characteristics of the small molecular clouds (diameter less than 60 mpc) at these sites. The thermal emission thus provides estimates of the environmental conditions that are needed to support strong masing from spots that are apparently embedded within these clouds.     

OH masers, molecular outflows and magnetic fields in NGC 7538

The multi-element radio-linked interferometer network (MERLIN) measurements of 1665-, 1667- and 1720-MHz OH masers associated with NGC 7538 are presented. The masers are located at the centres of three bipolar molecular outflows associated with the infrared sources IRS 1, IRS 9 and IRS 11. The distribution of OH masers in IRS 1 is more extensive than previously reported and is displaced to the south of the methanol 6.7-GHz masers. The OH masers in IRS 9 have not previously been reported. Their distribution seems to be orthogonal to the direction of the outflow and to the distribution of H₂O masers. The maser distribution in IRS 11 is parallel to the dust ridge and orthogonal to the outflow. Full polarization measurements of the OH maser emission show systematic differences between the three sources. IRS 1 has moderate polarization, with linear polarization vectors partially aligned with the bipolar outflow; IRS 9 exhibits larger polarization, but little linear component; IRS 11 shows the strongest polarization and has linear polarization vectors aligned parallel to the outflow. There is also evidence for a toroidal component of the magnetic field around the IRS 11 outflow, orthogonal to the outflow direction. It is suggested that the differences in polarization trace a possible evolutionary sequence from oldest (IRS 1) to youngest (IRS 11).     

Maser Action in Methanol Transitions

We report the detection with the ATCA of 6.7 GHz methanol emission towards OMC-1. The source has a size between 40 and 90, is located to the south-east of Ori-KL and may coincide in position with the 25 GHz masers. The source may be an example of an interesting case recently predicted in theory where the transitions of traditionally different methanol maser classes show maser activity simultaneously. In addition, results of recent search for methanol masers from the 25 and 104.3 GHz transitions are reported.     

Evidence for Co-Propagation of 4765- and 1720-MHz OH Masers in Star-Forming Regions

Two star-forming regions Cepheus A and W75N, were searched for the 4765-MHz OH maser emission using the multi-element radio linked interferometer network (MERLIN). The excited OH emission has an arc-like structure of 40 mas in Cep A and a linear structure of size 45 mas in W75N. We also found the 1720-MHz line in Cep A and Hutawarakorn [MNRAS 330 (2002) 349] reported the 1720-MHz emission in W75N. The 1720- and 4765-MHz OH spots coincided in space within 60 mas and in velocity within 0.3 km s^–1 in both targets implying that both maser transitions arise from the same region. According to the modelling by Gray [MNRAS 252 (1991) 30] the 1720/4765-MHz co-propagation requires a low density, warm environment. The masers lie at the edges of H II regions where such conditions are expected.     

A comprehensive search for extragalactic 6.7-GHz methanol masers

We have used the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) to search for 6.7-GHz methanol maser emission towards 87 galaxies. We chose the target sources using several criteria, including far-IR luminosities and the presence of known OH megamasers. In addition, we searched for methanol masers in the nearby starburst galaxy NGC 253, making a full spectral-line synthesis image. No emission was detected in any of the galaxies, with detection limits ranging from 25 to 75 mJy. This is surprising, given the close association of OH and methanol masers in Galactic star formation regions, and significantly constrains models of OH megamaser emission. This absence of maser emission may be a result of low methanol abundances in molecular clouds in starburst galaxies.     

Methanol masers and their environment at high resolution

We have used the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) to make high-resolution images of the 6.7-GHz 5₁ → 6₀A⁺ maser transition of methanol towards 33 sources in the Galactic plane. Including the results from 12 methanol sources in the literature, we find that 17 out of 45 sources have curved or linear morphology. Most of the 17 have a velocity gradient along the line, which is consistent with masers lying in an edge-on circumstellar disc surrounding a massive star. We also made simultaneous continuum observations of the sources at 8.6 GHz, in order to image any associated H  ii region. 25 of the sources are associated with an ultracompact H  ii region, with a detection limit of ∼0.5 mJy beam⁻¹. We argue that the methanol sources without an associated H  ii region represent less massive embedded stars, not an earlier stage in the lifetime of the star, as previously suggested.     

Near-infrared imaging of the environment of 6.7-GHz methanol masers

Near-infrared (NIR) images at I , J , H and K bands were made of 12 southern 6.7-GHz methanol maser sources. Astrometry accurate to 0.5 arcsec was obtained. The positions of known H  ii regions, water masers, hydroxyl masers, and mid- and far-infrared objects in the region are examined in order to try to determine the nature of the methanol maser source. Deeply embedded NIR sources were found close to seven out of 14 maser sites. In three cases, no NIR source, H  ii region, water maser or hydroxyl maser could be found in likely association with the methanol masers.     

Studies of ultracompact H ii regions — II. High-resolution radio continuum and methanol maser survey

High spatial resolution radio continuum and 6.67-GHz methanol spectral line data are presented for methanol masers previously detected by Walsh et al. (1997). Methanol maser and/or radio continuum emission is found in 364 cases towards IRAS -selected regions. For those sources with methanol maser emission, relative positions have been obtained to an accuracy of typically 0.05 arcsec, with absolute positions accurate to around 1 arcsec. Maps of selected sources are provided. The intensity of the maser emission does not seem to depend on the presence of a continuum source. The coincidence of water and methanol maser positions in some regions suggests there is overlap in the requirements for methanol and water maser emission to be observable. However, there is a striking difference between the general proximity of methanol and water masers to both cometary and irregularly shaped ultracompact (UC) H  ii regions, indicating that, in other cases, there must be differing environments conducive to stimulating their emission. We show that the methanol maser is most likely present before an observable UC H  ii region is formed around a massive star and is quickly destroyed as the UC H  ii region evolves. There are 36 out of 97 maser sites that are linearly extended. The hypothesis that the maser emission is found in a circumstellar disc is not inconsistent with these 36 maser sites, but is unlikely. It cannot, however, account for all other maser sites. An alternative model which uses shocks to create the masing spots can more readily reproduce the maser spot distributions.     

Positions of hydroxyl masers at 1665 and 1667 MHz

The Australia Telescope Compact Array has been used to observe more than 200 1665-MHz hydroxyl masers south of declination −16° and derive their positions with typical rms uncertainties of 0.4 arcsec. Many of the 1665-MHz maser sites are found to have 1667-MHz OH maser counterparts which are coincident, within the errors.
The resulting position list presented here includes all well-documented, previously reported 1665-MHz masers close to the Galactic plane in the galactic longitude range 230° (through 360°) to 13°. Nearly 50 newly discovered masers are also listed, chiefly in the longitude range 312° to 356°, where the observations were conducted as an intensive survey of a continuous zone close to the Galactic plane.
Many of the maser sites are discussed briefly so as to draw attention to those possessing properties that are unusual among this large sample. Most of the masers are of the variety found in star-forming regions – at the sites of newly formed massive stars and their associated ultracompact H ii regions. The new, accurate, positions reveal coincidences of the OH masers with the continuum radio emission, with the infrared emission from dust that accompanies such regions, and with emission from other maser species such as methanol at 6668 MHz and water at 22 GHz.
By-products of the survey, also presented here, include measurements of at least 11 objects that are not associated with massive star-forming regions. They comprise several OH/IR stars (detected at the 1667- or 1665-MHz transition of OH, though commonly found to be most prominent at the 1612-MHz transition) and several unusual masers that may pinpoint other varieties of late-type stars or protoplanetary nebulae.     

Detection of new sources of methanol emission at 95 GHz with the Mopra telescope

A southern hemisphere survey of methanol emission sources has been carried out using the Australia Telescope National Facility Mopra millimetre telescope. 85 sources, the majority of them masers, have been detected in the 8₀−7₁ A⁺ transition of methanol at 95 GHz. Together with a similar northern hemisphere survey, this completes the search for 95-GHz methanol emission from the Galactic plane. The previously found correlation between intensities of methanol emission at 44 and 95 GHz is confirmed here with the larger sample of sources. The results of large velocity gradient statistical equilibrium calculations confirm the classification of these sources as class I methanol masers pumped through collisional excitation.     

Short-period variability in the Class II methanol maser source G12.89+0.49 (IRAS 18089−1732)

Time series are presented for the Class II methanol maser source G12.89+0.49, which has been monitored for nine years at the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory. The 12.2 and 6.7 GHz methanol masers were seen to exhibit rapid, correlated variations on time-scales of less than a month. Daily monitoring has revealed that the variations have a periodic component with a period of 29.5 d. The period seems to be stable over the 110 cycles spanned by the time series. There are variations from cycle to cycle, with the peak of the flare occurring anywhere within an 11 d window, but the minima occur at the same phase of the cycle. Time delays of up to 5.7 d are seen between spectral features at 6.7 GHz and a delay of 1.1 d is seen between the dominant 12.2 GHz spectral feature and its 6.7 GHz counterpart.     

Discovery of molecular hydrogen line emission associated with methanol maser emission

We report the discovery of H₂ line emission associated with 6.67-GHz methanol maser emission in massive star-forming regions. In our UNSWIRF/AAT observations, H₂ 1–0 S(1) line emission was found associated with an ultracompact H  ii region IRAS 14567–5846 and isolated methanol maser sites in G318.95–0.20 , IRAS 15278–5620 and IRAS 16076–5134 . Owing to the lack of radio continuum in the latter three sources, we argue that their H₂ emission is shock excited, while it is UV-fluorescently excited in IRAS 14567–5846 . Within the positional uncertainties of 3 arcsec, the maser sites correspond to the location of infrared sources. We suggest that 6.67-GHz methanol maser emission is associated with hot molecular cores, and propose an evolutionary sequence of events for the process of massive star formation.