Methanol masers as tools to study high-mass star formation

• Main Author: Pestalozzi, Michele
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 23-04-2007
• Subjects: Physics - Astrophysics of Galaxies; Physics - Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics; Physics - Earth and Planetary Astrophysics; Physics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena; Physics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics; Physics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.0704.2982

In this contribution I will attempt to show that the study of galactic 6.7
and 12.2GHz methanol masers themselves, as opposed to the use of methanol
masers as signposts, can yield important conclusions contributing to the
understanding of high-mass star formation. Due to their exclusive association
with star formation, methanol masers are the best tools to do this, and their
large number allows to probe the entire Galaxy. In particular I will focus on
the determination of the luminosity function of methanol masers and on the
determination of an unambiguous signature for a circumstellar masing disc seen
edge-on. Finally I will try to point out some future fields of research in the
study of methanol masers.