Proper Motions of OH Masers and Magnetic Fields in Massive Star-Forming Regions

TL;DR

This study measures proper motions of OH masers in massive star-forming regions, revealing expansion dynamics, magnetic field strengths, and their implications for star formation processes.

Contribution

It provides new proper motion data and magnetic field measurements in multiple star-forming regions, enhancing understanding of maser dynamics and magnetic environments.

Findings

OH masers in ON 1 show expansion at ~5 km/s.

Magnetic fields of ~20 mG confirmed in W51 Main.

Relative motions suggest mass estimates of at least 1500 solar masses.

Abstract

We present data of proper motions of OH masers in the massive star-forming regions ON 1, K3-50, and W51 Main/South. OH maser motions in ON 1 are consistent with expansion at approximately 5 km/s, likely tracing the expanding ultracompact H II region. Motions in K3-50 are faster and may be indicating the final stages of OH maser emission in the source, before the OH masers turn off as the H II region transitions from the ultracompact to the compact phase. W51 South shows indications of aspherical expansion, while motions in W51 Main are more difficult to interpret. Nevertheless, it appears that the relative projected separation between W51 Main and W51 South is decreasing, corresponding to an estimate of enclosed mass of at least 1500 solar masses, consistent with estimates derived from millimeter-wavelength dust emission. We confirm the ~20 mG magnetic fields previously seen in W51 Main, which may represent the upper end of the density range allowable for 1665 MHz maser emission. Magnetic field strengths and directions, obtained from Zeeman splitting, in each source are consistent with values obtained in the first epoch four to nine years ago.