The extraordinary maser flaring event in the massive protostellar system NGC6334I: multi-epoch milliarcsecond resolution investigation of the 6.7-GHz methanol masers
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT We report the first multi-epoch milliarcsecond resolution imaging of the 6.7-GHz class II methanol maser emission associated with the high-mass protocluster system NGC6334I. The observations covered a period of over 10 yr in four epochs between March 2010 and March 2020. We confirmed for the first time the emergence of 6.7-GHz methanol maser emission associated with NGC6334I-MM1, which lies north of the previously known sites of class II methanol masers, NGC6334-MM2 and MM3. The new maser emission was located close to the strongest (sub)millimetre source in NGC6334I-MM1, identified as MM1-B, which experienced a sudden increase in intensity in 2015, produced by an episodic accretion event. We are able to compare the location and intensity of the 6.7-GHz methanol maser emission among the epochs before, during, and after the flare, providing new insights into the relationship between maser flares and episodic accretion events in high-mass stars.
Authors: Jayender Kumar, Simon P Ellingsen, Gabor Orosz, Lucas Hyland, Chris Phillips, Cormac Reynolds, Gordon MacLeod
Institutions: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, University of Tasmania, Australia Telescope National Facility, The University of Western Australia, International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, Joint Institute for VLBI ERIC, Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,046
OpenAlex ID: W4417043725