Masers and star formation

Masers and star formation

Recent observational and theoretical advances concerning astronomical masers in star forming regions are reviewed. Major masing species are considered individually and in combination. Key results are summarized with emphasis on present science and future prospects.

The infrared environments of masers associated with star formation

The near infrared (1-2 μm) and the thermal infrared (3-25 μm) trace many of the environments in which masers are thought to reside, including shocks, outflows, accretion disks, and the dense medium near protostars. After a number of recent surveys it has been found that there is a higher detection rate of mid-IR emission towards masers than cm radio continuum emission from UC HII regions, and t...

Masers as Kinemati Signposts in Star Formation Regions

Masers : High resolution probes of massive star formation

Astrophysical masers are one of the most readily detected signposts of high-mass star formation. Their presence indicates special conditions, probably indicative of a specific evolutionary phase. Masers also represent the ultimate high-resolution probe of star formation with the potential to reveal information on the kinematics and physical conditions within the region at milli-arcsecond resolu...

Methanol masers as tools to study high-mass star formation

In this contribution I will attempt to show that the study of Galactic 6.7 and 12.2 GHz 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 allow...