High-resolution VLA observations of the W3(OH) methanol masers

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/185232· OSTI ID:6725022

Menten, K M; Johnston, K J; Wadiak, E J; Walmsley, C M; Wilson, T L

VLA observations of the 9(2)-10(1) A(+) transition of methanol (CH3OH) with 0.08-arcsec resolution toward W3(OH) are presented. The emission arises from at least eight regions situated on a crescent-shaped arc which is aligned in approximately the N-S direction in front of the compact H II region. The angular sizes of the individual regions are less tha 0.04 arcsec, the brightness temperature of the most intense region is at least 10 to the 7th K. A VLBI experiment gave no fringes, implying a lower limit of 0.003 arcsec on the angular size or an upper limit of 2 X 10 to the 9th K on the brightness temperature of the strongest feature. There is a close resmeblance between the spatial distribution of the CH3OH and OH maser emission. It is concluded that the conditions required for maser action of both species must be closely related. 16 references.

• Research Organization: Max-Planck-Institut fuer Radioastronomie, Bonn (Germany, F.R.); Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA (USA); E. O. Hulburt Center for Space Research, Washington, DC (USA); National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Green Bank, WV (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6725022
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 331; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALCOHOLS
AMPLIFIERS
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EMISSION SPECTRA
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
EQUIPMENT
H2 REGIONS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
MASERS
METHANOL
MICROWAVE AMPLIFIERS
MICROWAVE EQUIPMENT
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PROTOSTARS
SPACE
SPECTRA