MAJOR STRUCTURES OF THE INNER GALAXY DELINEATED BY 6.7 GHz METHANOL MASERS
- CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science, Australia Telescope National Facility, P.O. Box 76, Epping, NSW 1710 (Australia)
- Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, Alan Turing Building, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL (United Kingdom)
- School of Physics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052 (Australia)
- School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 37, Hobart, TAS 7001 (Australia)
- INAF/IFSI, via del Fosso del Cabaliere 100, I-00133 Roma (Italy)
- Centre for Astrophysics Research, Science and Technology Research Institute, University of Hertfordshire, College Lane, Hatfield, AL10 9AB (United Kingdom)
We explore the longitude-velocity distribution of 6.7 GHz methanol masers in the context of the inner structure of our Galaxy. We analyze the correlation in velocities within this distribution and identify density enhancements indicating large-scale regions of enhanced star formation. These are interpreted as the starting points of the spiral arms and the interaction of the Galactic bar with the 3 kpc arms. The methanol masers support the presence of a long thin bar with a 45{sup 0} orientation. Signatures of the full 3 kpc arm structure are seen, including a prominent tangent at approximately -22{sup 0} Galactic longitude. We compare this distribution with existing models of the gas dynamics of our Galaxy. The 3 kpc arm structure appears likely to correspond to the radius of corotation resonance of the bar, with the bar on its inner surface and the starting points of the spiral arms on its outer surface.
- OSTI ID:
- 21576808
- Journal Information:
- Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 733, Issue 1; Other Information: DOI: 10.1088/0004-637X/733/1/27; ISSN 0004-637X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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