We are carrying out a program to observe the 6.7 GHz methanol maser emission in high-mass star-forming regions using large FOV (~2'), astrometric, VLBI data. Here we report on the first results of the inner few arc seconds in Cepheus A East. We find a maser filament extending over ~1.7” (1200 AU), straddling the waist of Cep A HW2. The region in which the CH3OH masers are found contains several YSO's and it is not clear whether the CH3OH masers are associated with several different objects or rather the larger scale surrounding environment.

We present simultaneous observations of continuum (3.5 and 1.3cm) and water maser line emission (1.3cm) carried out with the VLA-A toward the high-mass object IRAS 23139+5939. We detected two radio continuum sources at 3.5cm separated by 0”5 (~2400 AU), I23139 and I23139S. Based on the observed continuum flux density and the spectral index, we suggest that I23139 is a thermal radio jet associated with a high-mass YSO. On the other hand, based on the spatio-kinematical distribution of the water masers, together with the continuum emission information, we speculate that I23139S is also a jet source powering some of the masers detected in the region.

The Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) and the Mopra facility have been used to search for new southern class I methanol masers at 9.9, 25(J=5) and 104 GHz, which are thought to trace more energetic conditions in the interface regions of molecular outflows, than the widespread class I masers at 44 and 95 GHz. One source shows a clear outflow association.

High angular resolution observations are essential for understanding the nature of maser emission and the sources which excite it. Here we present preliminary results from MERLIN observations of three methanol masers from the Toruń survey. These MERLIN observations are being analysed as part of the interferometric component of the Methanol Multibeam (MMB) Survey which is surveying the Galactic plane at |b|≤2° for 6.67 GHz methanol maser sources.

We present VLBI and single dish observations of a strong (1000 Jy) OH maser flare at 1665 MHz in the star-forming region W75N. This new flare appeared in 2003, after a 100 Jy flare in 2000. Three major spectral features N1, N2, and N3 were present at all epochs, with N1 declining and N2 increasing in flux density during observations taken in 2003–2006. All three features have strong linear polarization approaching 90%. VLBI maps show that along with the strong features N1-3, many weaker features have appeared within 100 mas of the ultra compact HII region VLA 2. The proper motion of the flare feature N1 was measured: Δα=1.36±0.3; Δδ=-0.3±0.3 mas in 1.75 years, corresponding to a tangential velocity of about 8 km s−1 relative to the rest of the features, and is comparable to the radial velocity range in the VLA 2 disk.

MERLIN observations of 6.668-GHz Methanol and 6.035-GHz OH emission from the known massive star-formation region ON1 are presented. Maser components are found to lie at the southern edge of the UCHII with consistent polarization angles across the strongest features. Zeeman splitting of OH shows magnetic field strengths between +0.4 to −5.3 mG and from cross-correlation a tentative methanol magnetic field of −18mG is detected.

In the course of following up compact methanol masers at 6.7 GHz which were found in the Torun blind survey (Szymczak et al. 2002), we discovered a ring structure in the source G23.657−00.127. This source provides interesting insights into whether methanol masers arise in rotating disks around massive stars, in their outflows, or behind shocks. By monitoring the 12.2 GHz masers, which fortunately follow the same structure, we hope to resolve the kinematics of the ring. Moreover, the symmetry of the source points to the existence of a central source. Early results on the nature of this source indicate the existence of a hyper–compact H II region.

Observations of 10 transitions of HCO+, CO and CS isotopomers were taken with the IRAM 30 m telescope for a sample of 28 methanol maser sources detected in the Torun unbiased survey of the galactic plane. About 64% of the sources show line wings in one or more transitions, indicating the presence of molecular outflows. Two sources show evidence for infall motion. Comparison of the widths of line wings and methanol maser emission suggests that the 6.7 GHz maser line traces the environment of massive young stellar objects of various kinematic regimes. Calculations based on the CO and HCO+ lines and the CS line intensity ratios refine the physical parameters. Specifically, a gas density of <107 cm−3 is sufficient for strong maser emission and a high methanol fractional abundance (>5×10−7) is required.

This discussion of recent maser surveys in the southern sky will allow us to see the context of the new methanol multibeam survey, which is currently in progress and described elsewhere at this symposium. My emphasis will be on masers that arise in star-forming regions in the disc of our Galaxy. I discuss outcomes from existing surveys, and comparison of different maser species, with special attention to the recognition of blue-shifted outflows.

Using the SiO J=1−0 v=1 and v=2 lines near 43 GHz, we have detected about 2000 of 3600 sources observed with the Nobeyama 45-m radio telescope. The sources were chosen from IRAS/MSX/2MASS catalogs using color-selection criteria to pick up mass-losing oxygen-rich AGB stars and some post-AGB objects. A number of interesting sources were also found: supergiants in a massive star cluster, a nova with light echo (V838 Mon), AGB stars in globular clusters, and AGB candidates associated with dwarf galaxies. With the exception of the stars in the massive open star cluster, these ‘unusual’ objects are associated with metal poor environments where mass losing oxygen-rich AGB stars are unexpected. It is inferred that these objects were created by stellar merging which can occur in dense star clusters.

The Arecibo Methanol Maser Galactic Plane Survey (AMGPS) is a blind survey for 6.7 GHz methanol masers in a section of the Galactic plane visible from the Arecibo radio telescope. The survey for these signposts of massive star formation is complete at a flux density level of 0.27 Jy making it the most sensitive blind survey for methanol masers carried out to date, and resulted in the detection of 86 methanol masers, 48 of which are new discoveries. The properties of methanol masers discovered in the survey are consistent with their being associated with early phases of massive star formation. The data also show the tangent point of the Carina-Sagittarius spiral arm to be around a Galactic longitude of 49.6°.

Interstellar masers are unique probes of the environments in which they arise. In studies of high-mass star formation their primary function has been as signposts of these regions and they have been used as probes of the kinematics and physical conditions in only a few sources. With a few notable exceptions, we know relatively little about the evolutionary phase the different maser species trace, nor their location with respect to other star formation tracers. While detailed studies of a small number of maser regions can reveal much about them, other information can only be obtained through large, systematic searches. In particular, such surveys are vital in efforts to determine an evolutionary sequence for the common maser species, and there is growing evidence that methanol masers may trace an earlier phase than the other common maser species of OH and water.

A new 7-beam methanol multibeam receiver is being used to survey the Galaxy for newly forming massive stars, that are pinpointed by strong methanol maser emission at 6.668 GHz. The receiver, jointly constructed by Jodrell Bank Observatory (JBO) and the Australia Telescope National Facility (ATNF), was successfully commissioned at Parkes in January 2006. The Parkes-Jodrell survey of the Milky Way for methanol masers is two orders of magnitude faster than previous systematic surveys using 30-m class dishes, and is the first systematic survey of the entire Galactic plane. The first 53 days of observations with the Parkes telescope have yielded 518 methanol sources, of which 218 are new discoveries. We present the survey methodology as well as preliminary results and analysis.

The Arcetri/Bologna H2O maser group has been monitoring the 1.3-cm water maser emission from a sample of 43 star-forming regions (SFRs) and 22 late-type stars for about 20 years at a sampling rate of 4-5 observations each year, using the 32-m Medicina Radio Telescope (HPBW 1.′9 at 22 GHz). For the late-type stars we observe representative samples of OH/IR-stars, Mira's, semi-regular variables, and supergiants. The SFR-sample spans a large interval in FIR luminosity of the associated Young Stellar Object (YSO), from 20 L⊙ to 1.5 × 106 L⊙, and offers a unique data base for the study of the long-term (years) variability of the maser emission in regions of star formation.

This presentation concerns only the masers in SFRs. The information obtained from single-dish monitoring is complementary to what is extracted from higher-resolution (VLA and VLBI) observations, and can better explore the velocity domain and the long-term variability therein.

We characterize the variability of the sources in various ways and we study how it depends on the luminosity and other properties of the associated YSO and its environment.

We are conducting a large survey with the Urumqi 25 m radio telescope to study the distribution and physical properties of massive star forming regions in the Milky Way. We will accomplish this by observing the H110α hydrogen recombination line at 4.874 GHz and the H2CO absorption line at 4830 GHz. These lines are associated with compact HII regions and dense molecular clouds. As a test of the 6 cm spectral line receiving system, we observed the two spectral lines toward massive star forming regions. We plan to study the large scale distribution and physical properties of massive star forming regions in the Milky way.

Galactic Giant Molecular Cloud (GMC) complexes are among the largest objects in the sky. In order to get the full picture of Galactic star formation a large field of view is important. The Allen Telescope Array (ATA) is the first of a new generation of large-N, small-D radio telescopes designed to provide high quality images on large angular scales. We present here the first wide field images of GMCs made with the ATA.

OH masers at 1720 MHz have proven to be excellent indicators of interactions between supernova remnants and molecular clouds. Recent calculations suggest that the 6049 MHz OH maser line is excited at higher column densities than for the 1720 MHz line. It is therefore a potentially valuable indicator of remnant-cloud interaction.

We present preliminary results of a survey using the Parkes Methanol Multibeam receiver for 6049 MHz and 6035/6030 MHz OH masers towards 36 supernova remnants and four fields in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. While no 6049 MHz masers have been found, three new sites of 6035 and 6030 MHz OH maser emission have been discovered in star-forming regions.

We present the results of a mm wavelength methanol maser survey towards massive star forming regions. We have carried out Class II methanol maser observations at 86.6 GHz, 86.9 GHz and 107.0 GHz, simultaneously, using the Nobeyama 45 m telescope. We selected 108 6.7 GHz methanol maser sources with declinations above −25 degrees and fluxes above 20 Jy. The detection limit of maser observations was ~3 Jy. Of the 93 sources surveyed so far, we detected methanol emission in 25 sources (27%) and “maser” emission in nine sources (10%), of which thre “maser” sources are new detections. The detection rate for maser emission is about half that of a survey of the southern sky (Caswell et al. 2000). There is a correlation between the maser flux of 107 GHz and 6.7 GHz/12 GHz emission, but no correlation with the “thermal” (non maser) emission. From results of other molecular line observations, we found that the sources with methanol emission show higher gas temperatures and twice the detection rate of SiO emission. This may suggest that dust evaporation and destruction by shock are responsible for the high abundance of methanol molecules, one of the required physical conditions for maser emission.

This paper reviews recent advances in the study or circumstellar masers and masers found toward supernova remnants. The review is organized by science focus area, including the astrophysics of extended stellar atmospheres, stellar mass-loss processes and outflows, late-type evolved stellar evolution, stellar maser excitation and chemistry, and the use of stellar masers as independent distance estimators. Masers toward supernova remnants are covered separately. Recent advances and open future questions in this field are explored.

We present recent results from our project of concurrent radio and infrared interferometry of oxygen-rich Mira stars. Our pilot study on the Mira variable S Ori included coordinated VLBA mapping of the v=1, J=1-0 43.1 GHz and v=2, J=1-0 42.8 GHz SiO maser radiation at one epoch and concurrent near-infrared K-band interferometry to constrain the stellar photospheric diameter. We recently obtained new maps of these SiO maser transitions toward S Ori at three additional epochs with the VLBA and concurrent mid-infrared interferometric data with VLTI/MIDI. The MIDI data are analyzed using recent self-excited dynamic model atmospheres including molecular shells close to continuum-forming layers, which we complement by a radiative transfer model of the dust shell. The modelling of our MIDI data results in phase-dependent continuum photospheric angular diameters. The dust shell can best be modelled with Al2O3 grains alone. We find that the mean SiO maser ring radii lie between about 1.9 and 2.4 stellar continuum radii. The maser spots mark the region of the molecular atmospheric layers shortly outward of the steepest decrease of the mid-infrared model intensity profile. Our results suggest that the SiO maser shells are co-located with the Al2O3 dust shell near minimum visual phase. Their velocity structure indicates a radial gas expansion. Preliminary results from a study of the Mira star GX Mon suggest a similar picture.