VLBI observations of 6.7 and 12.2 GHz methanol masers toward high mass star-forming regions

Free access article

Issue		A&A Volume 369, Number 1, April I 2001


Page(s)		278 - 290
Section		Diffuse matter in space
DOI		http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20010124

A&A 369, 278-290 (2001)
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20010124

II. Tracing massive protostars

V. Minier, J. E. Conway and R. S. Booth

Onsala Space Observatory, 439 92 Onsala, Sweden

(Received 20 November 2000 / Accepted 22 January 2001)

Abstract
We compare the absolute positions of methanol maser sites with those of typical tracers of young massive stellar objects, such as ultra-compact HII regions, outflows and hot molecular cores. We have selected thirteen star-forming regions for which we have produced VLBI maps of 6.7 and 12.2 GHz methanol masers, and for which complementary high resolution images are available in the literature. These sources are namely: IRAS 20126+4104, NGC 7538, S 252, G 31.28+0.06, W 75N, S 255, S 269, Mon R2, G 9.62+0.20, Cep A, W 51, G 59.78+0.06 and G 29.95-0.02. Eight of the methanol maser sources coincide in position within 2000 AU with outflows and/or hot molecular cores, i.e. phenomena occuring at the earliest stage of massive star formation. Only two sources coincide in position with hyper-compact HII regions. We conclude that 6.7 and 12.2 GHz methanol masers are likely to be one of the first signposts of massive star formation and perhaps the first signpost of a massive protostar.

Key words: HII regions -- masers -- stars: formation -- circumstellar matter -- techniques: interferometric

Offprint request: V. Minier, vincent@oso.chalmers.se

SIMBAD Objects

What is OpenURL?

The OpenURL standard is a protocol for transmission of metadata describing the resource that you wish to access. An OpenURL link contains article metadata and directs it to the OpenURL server of your choice. The OpenURL server can provide access to the resource and also offer complementary services (specific search engine, export of references...). The OpenURL link can be generated by different means.

If your librarian has set up your subscription with an OpenURL resolver, OpenURL links appear automatically on the abstract pages.
You can define your own OpenURL resolver with your EDPS Account. In this case your choice will be given priority over that of your library.
You can use an add-on for your browser (Firefox or I.E.) to display OpenURL links on a page (see http://www.openly.com/openurlref/). You should disable this module if you wish to use the OpenURL server that you or your library have defined.