Multiple, narrow lines in the spectrum of an astrophysical maser in a velocity gradient

Journal Article · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/185330· OSTI ID:6494501

Nedoluha, G E; Watson, W D

The emergent radiation spectrum is obtained for an astrophysical maser in the presence of a velocity gradient without making the large velocity gradient (or Sobolev) approximation on which previous calculations have been based. Even in the presence of a velocity gradient, the spectral lines of saturated masers are found to remain narrow. More surprisingly, however, the spectrum breaks up into multiple narrow lines. Hence, individual features in the observed spectra of astrophysical masers need not always be interpreted as separate clumps of gas. Specifically, this result may be related to the occurrence of multiple lines from the same location in the H2O masers in star-forming regions and to be the occurrence of numerous, narrow features recently detected in the spectra of circumstellar OH masers. 14 references.

• Research Organization: Illinois, Univ., Urbana (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6494501
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 335; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AMPLIFIERS
COSMIC GASES
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
GASES
H2 REGIONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXYL RADICALS
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
MASERS
MICROWAVE AMPLIFIERS
MICROWAVE EQUIPMENT
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIATION TRANSPORT
RADICALS
SPACE
SPECTRA
STAR EVOLUTION
VELOCITY
WATER