Synchrotron emission from the H2O maser source in W3(OH)

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (93) References (23) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Synchrotron Emission from the H 2O Maser Source in W3(OH) Reid, M. J. ; Argon, A. L. ; Masson, C. R. ; Menten, K. M. ; Moran, J. M. Abstract We present a study of the radio continuum source found near the position of the H2O masers and the Turner-Welch (TW) source in the W3(OH) region. The source spectrum from 1.6 to 15 GHz exhibits a power law with spectral index -0.6. The continuum source is elongated in the east-west direction and its size decreases linearly with increasing frequency. These observations provide strong evidence for synchrotron emission from an inhomogeneous source. The elongated continuum source is coincident within 0.1 arcsec of the center of expansion of the H2O masers and is aligned with the dominant H2O outflow pattern. A possible model for the system includes an early-type star with a fast collimated wind that drives a jetlike outflow. Fast shocks in the wind or jet accelerate electrons, via a first-order Fermi process, to relativistic speeds necessary for synchrotron emission. The jet impinges on the surrounding molecular material and shocks and accelerates this material, leading to the microns observed in the H2O masers. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: April 1995 DOI: 10.1086/175518 Bibcode: 1995ApJ...443..238R Keywords: Continuous Spectra; Hydroxyl Emission; Radio Astronomy; Radio Emission; Synchrotron Radiation; Water Masers; Continuum Modeling; Gas Jets; Interstellar Matter; Jet Flow; Radio Spectra; Astrophysics; ISM: INDIVIDUAL ALPHANUMERIC: W3; ISM: JETS AND OUTFLOWS; MASERS; RADIATION MECHANISMS: NONTHERMAL; RADIO CONTINUUM: ISM full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (8)