Work

Constraints on mu-variations from the methanol CH3OH thermal lines in the Galaxy at galactocentric distances of 1.5 < D_GC < 13 kpc

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: In this study, constraints are set on hypothetical variations of the fundamental physical constant mu = m_e/m_p - the electron-to-proton mass ratio - based on thermal emission lines of E-methanol (CH3OH) in the 216-220 GHz frequency range. Molecular spectra toward seven massive clouds located across a wide range of galactocentric distances (1.5 < D_GC < 13 kpc) have been analyzed. The obtained weighted mean value = (0.5+/-0.5)*10^(-7) does not indicate statistically significant changes in mu at the 1 sigma confidence level of 5*10^(-8), which is in good agreement with previously established upper limits in a number of molecular clouds in the Galactic disk.

Source: arXiv (Cornell University)

DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2609.03431

Authors: Shtein, A. I., Vorotyntseva, J. S., Levshakov, S. A.

Institutions: Saint Petersburg State Electrotechnical University, Ioffe Institute

Language: English

Topic: Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Ioffe Institute

OpenAlex ID: W7208714713

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