Class I methanol masers: masers with extended green objects

We have compared the results of a number of published class I methanol maser surveys with the catalogue of high-mass outflow candidates identified from the Galactic Legacy Infrared Mid-Plane Survey Extraordinaire survey (known as extended green objects or EGOs). We find class I methanol masers associated with approximately two-thirds of EGOs. Although the association between outflows and class I methanol masers has long been postulated on the basis of detailed studies of a small number of sources, this result demonstrates the relationship for the first time on a statistical basis. Despite the publication of a number of searches for class I methanol masers, a close physical association with another astrophysical object which could be targeted for the search is still lacking. The close association between class I methanol masers and EGOs therefore provides a large catalogue of candidate sources, most of which have not previously been searched for class I methanol masers. Interstellar masers and outflows have both been proposed to trace an evolutionary sequence for high-mass star formation, therefore a better understanding of the relationship between class I methanol masers and outflow offers the potential for comparison and amalgamation of these two evolutionary sequences.     

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.     

Class II maser candidates in substituted methanol: CH3OD, 13CH3OH, CH318OH and CH3SH

We investigate the possibility of interstellar masers in transitions of the methanol isotopomers CH₃OD, ¹³CH₃OH and CH₃¹⁸OH, and of CH₃SH. The model used, in which masers are pumped through the first and second torsionally excited states by IR radiation, has accounted successfully for the Class II masers in main species methanol, ¹²CH₃¹⁶OH. Several potential maser candidates are identified for CH₃OD, their detectability depending on the enrichment of this species in star-forming regions. In ¹³CH₃OH and CH₃¹⁸OH the best maser candidates are direct counterparts of the well-known 6.7- and 12.2-GHz methanol masers, but the lower interstellar abundance of these substituted species means that the expected brightness is greatly reduced. The maser candidates in CH₃SH are also weak. By comparing these species we find that the large b -component of the dipole moment in methanol plays a significant role in its propensity to form masers, as does the strong torsion–rotation interaction due to the light hydroxyl frame. Thus the exceptional brightness of interstellar methanol masers is due to a favourable combination of molecular properties as well as high interstellar abundance.     

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.     

A source of extended HCO+ emission in young stellar objects

Anomalous molecular line profile shapes are the strongest indicators of the presence of the infall of gas that is associated with star formation. Such profiles are seen for well-known tracers, such as HCO⁺, CS and H₂CO. In certain cases, optically thick emission lines with appropriate excitation criteria may possess the asymmetric double-peaked profiles that are characteristic of infall. However, recent interpretations of the HCO⁺ infall profile observed towards the protostellar infall candidate B335 have revealed a significant discrepancy between the inferred overall column density of the molecule and that which is predicted by standard dark cloud chemical modelling.
This paper presents a model for the source of the HCO⁺ emission excess. Observations have shown that, in low-mass star-forming regions, the collapse process is invariably accompanied by the presence of collimated outflows; we therefore propose the presence of an interface region around the outflow in which the chemistry is enriched by the action of jets. This hypothesis suggests that the line profiles of HCO⁺, as well as other molecular species, may require a more complex interpretation than can be provided by simple, chemically quiescent, spherically symmetric infall models.
The enhancement of HCO⁺ depends primarily on the presence of a shock-generated radiation field in the interface. Plausible estimates of the radiation intensity imply molecular abundances that are consistent with those observed. Further, high-resolution observations of an infall-outflow source show HCO⁺ emission morphology that is consistent with that predicted by this model.     

A search for 22-GHz water masers within the giant molecular cloud associated with RCW 106

We report the results of a blind search for 22-GHz water masers in two regions, covering approximately half a square degree, within the giant molecular cloud associated with RCW 106. The complete search of the two regions was carried out with the 26-m Mount Pleasant radio telescope and resulted in the detection of nine water masers, five of which are new detections. Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) observations of these detections have allowed us to obtain positions with arcsecond accuracy, allowing meaningful comparison with infrared and molecular data for the region. We find that for the regions surveyed there are more water masers than either 6.7-GHz methanol, or main-line OH masers. The water masers are concentrated towards the central axis of the star formation region, in contrast to the 6.7-GHz methanol masers which tend to be located near the periphery. The colours of the GLIMPSE point sources associated with the water masers are similar to those of 6.7-GHz methanol masers, but slightly less red. We have made a statistical investigation of the properties of the ¹³CO and 1.2-mm dust clumps with and without associated water masers. We find that the water masers are associated with the more massive, denser and brighter ¹³CO and 1.2-mm dust clumps. We present statistical models that are able to predict those ¹³CO and 1.2-mm dust clumps that are likely to have associated water masers, with a low misclassification rate.     

IRAS 12311−3509: a carbon star with SiC2 emission

The optical spectrum of the carbon star IRAS 12311−3509 is dominated by the Merrill–Sanford emission bands of SiC₂, by absorption and emission in the Swan system of C₂, and by resonance emission lines of neutral metals. The infrared energy distribution is flat from 1 to 60 μm. These observations are interpreted as arising from a star with a cool dusty disc which is edge-on to the observer and obscures direct starlight. The infrared continuum is caused predominantly by absorption of stellar light by dust in the disc and re-emission at longer wavelengths. The optical stellar spectrum is seen by reflection off dusty material which lies out of the plane of the disc, and the molecular and atomic emission arises in the same geometry through resonance fluorescence. The object has similarities to the J-silicate stars, but may have a carbon-rich rather than oxygen-rich disc. A full spectroscopic assignment and discussion of the SiC₂ bands and their intensities are given. Modelling of the rotational contours of the     band yields a rotational temperature of 250 K, indicating very cool gas.     

2–16 μm spectroscopy of micron-sized enstatite (Mg,Fe)2Si2O6 silicates from primitive chondritic meteorites

We present mid-infrared spectra from individual enstatite silicate grains separated from primitive type 3 chondritic meteorites. The 2–16 μm transmission spectra were taken with microspectroscopic Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) techniques as part of a project to produce a data base of infrared spectra from minerals of primitive meteorites for comparison with astronomical spectra. In general, the wavelength of enstatite bands increases with the proportion of Fe. However, the wavelengths of the strong En₁₀₀ bands at 10.67 and 11.67 decrease with increasing Fe content. The 11.67-μm band exhibits the largest compositional wavelength shift (twice as large as any other). Our fits of the linear dependence of the pyroxene peaks indicate that crystalline silicate peaks in the 10-μm spectra of Herbig AeBe stars, HD 179218 and 104237, are matched by pyroxenes of En₉₀₋₉₂ and En₇₈₋₈₀, respectively. If these simplistic comparisons with the astronomical grains are correct, then the enstatite pyroxenes seen in these environments are more Fe-rich than are the forsterite (Fo₁₀₀) grains identified in the far-infrared which are found to be Mg end-member grains. This differs from the general composition of type 3 chondritic meteoritic grains in which the pyroxenes are more Mg-rich than are the olivines from the same meteorite.     

The excitation and kinematical properties of H2 and [Fe ii] in the HH 46/47 bipolar outflow

Long-slit spectra of the molecular outflow Herbig–Haro (HH) 46/47 have been taken in the J and K near-infrared bands. The observed H₂ line emission confirms the existence of a bright and extended redshifted counter-jet outflow south-west of HH 46. In contrast with the optical appearance of this object, we show that this outflow seems to be composed of two different emission regions characterized by distinct heliocentric velocities. This implies an acceleration of the counter-jet.
The observed [Fe  ii ] emission suggests an average extinction of 7–9 visual magnitudes for the region associated with the counter-jet.
Through position–velocity diagrams, we show the existence of different morphologies for the H₂ and [Fe  ii ] emission regions in the northern part of the HH 46/47 outflow. We have detected for the first time high-velocity (−250 km s⁻¹) [Fe  ii ] emission in the region bridging HH 46 to HH 47A. The two strong peaks detected can be identified with the optical positions B8 and HH 47B.
The H₂ excitation diagrams for the counter-jet shock suggest an excitation temperature for the gas of T _ex≈2600 K . The lack of emission from the higher energy H₂ lines, such as the 4–3 S(3) transition, suggests a thermal excitation scenario for the origin of the observed emission. Comparison of the H₂ line ratios with various shock models yielded useful constraints about the geometry and type of these shocks. Planar shocks can be ruled out whereas curved or bow shocks (both J- and C-type) can be parametrized to fit our data.     

H2 emission from shocks in molecular outflows: the significance of departures from a stationary state

We have computed the time dependence of the H₂ rovibrational emission spectrum from molecular outflows. This emission arises in shock waves generated by the impact of jets, associated with low-mass star formation, on molecular gas. The shocks are unlikely to have attained a state of equilibrium, and so their structure will exhibit both C- and J-type characteristics. The rotational excitation diagram is found to provide a measure of the age of the shock; in the case of the outflow observed in Cepheus A West by the ISO satellite, the shock age is found to be approximately 1.5×10³ yr. Emission by other species, such as NH₃ and SiO, is also considered, as are the intensities of the fine-structure transitions of atoms and ions.     

A simple model for H2 line profiles in bow shocks

We present a model for empirically reproducing line profiles of molecular hydrogen emission in bow shocks. The model takes into account bow velocity, dissociation limit, a cooling function, viewing angle, bow shape and a limited form of extinction. Our results show that both geometrical factors and shock physics can significantly affect the profile morphology. In a companion paper we will apply this model to Fabry–Perot observations of bow shocks in the Orion BN–KL outflow.     

The contributions of J-type shocks to the H2 emission from molecular outflow sources

We present the results of modelling of the H₂ emission from molecular outflow sources, induced by shock waves propagating in the gas. We emphasize the importance of proper allowance for departures from equilibrium owing to the finite flow velocity of the hot, compressed gas, with special reference to the excitation, dissociation and reformation of H₂. The salient features of our computer code are described. The code is applied to interpreting the spectra of the outflow sources Cepheus A West and HH43. Particular attention is paid to determining the cooling times in shocks whose speeds are sufficient for collisional dissociation of H₂ to take place; the possible observational consequences of the subsequent reformation of H₂ are also examined. Because molecular outflow sources are intrinsically young objects, J-type shocks may be present in conjunction with magnetic precursors, which have a C-type structure. We note that very different physical and dynamical conditions are implied by models of C- and J-type shocks which may appear to fit the same H₂ excitation diagram.     

Shocked gas around Cepheus A: evidence for multiple outflows from H2S and SO2 observations

The Cepheus A star-forming region has been investigated through a multiline H₂S and SO₂ survey at millimetre wavelengths. Large-scale maps and high-resolution line profiles reveal the occurrence of several outflows. Cep A East is associated with multiple mass-loss processes: in particular, we detect a 0.6-pc jet-like structure which shows for the first time that the Cep A East young stellar objects are driving a collimated outflow moving towards the south.
The observed outflows show different clumps associated with definitely different H₂S/SO₂ integrated emission ratios, indicating that the gas chemistry in Cepheus A has been altered by the passage of shocks. H₂S appears to be more abundant than SO₂ in high-velocity clumps, in agreement with chemical models. However, we also find quite small H₂S linewidths, suggestive of regions where the evaporated H₂S molecules had enough time to slow down but not to freeze out on to dust grains. Finally, comparison between the line profiles indicates that the excitation conditions increase with the velocity, as expected for a propagation of collimated bow shocks.     

On the identification of the C60+ interstellar features

The identity of the carriers of the diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) is one of the most fascinating puzzles of modern spectroscopy. Over the last few years the number of known DIBs has grown substantially. In this paper we discuss the two recently discovered near-infrared weak interstellar features which have already been proposed as fingerprints of the buckminsterfullerene We present and discuss measurements of the two related DIBs within a larger sample of reddened targets, observed with different spectrometers, telescopes and site conditions. We provide additional arguments in favour of the interstellar origin of the two bands. We find evidence around the 9577-Å DIB of far-wing structures, which may affect broad-band measurements. We estimate corrections and errors for telluric and stellar blends, and show that the cores of the two DIBs are well correlated with a ratio near unity within 20 per cent. Finally, we discuss their relation to the laboratory spectra of and the search for two expected weaker transitions.     

Accurate positions of H2O masers in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Positions with subarcsecond accuracy have been measured for seven 22-GHz H₂O masers associated with H  ii regions in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC); two of the masers are new detections. Initial position measurements were obtained with the 70-m antenna of the Canberra NASA Deep Space Network during a period of more than two years in which the antenna was used to monitor the maser emission. The positions were further improved using 22-GHz observations involving three antennas of the Australia Telescope Compact Array.
The positions have been compared with those of 1.6-GHz continuum emission and other LMC masers (of OH and CH₃OH). The H₂O maser positions range from within 1 arcsec (270 mpc) of the centre of a compact H  ii component to beyond the boundary of significant continuum emission. Three of the four masers located near continuum peaks are close to OH masers. In two cases the positional agreement is better than 0.2 arcsec (53 mpc); in the third case the agreement is worse (0.9 arcsec) but the positions of the individual H₂O features appear to be spread over more than 1 arcsec. The velocities of the OH masers are within the spread of the H₂O velocities. The three H₂O masers offset from continuum centres are located  3–7 arcsec  from optical or infrared phenomena probably associated with very early stages of star formation; no other molecular masers are known in these directions.