Science with an ngVLA: Understanding Massive Star Formation through Maser Imaging

TL;DR

This paper discusses how maser imaging at centimeter wavelengths with the ngVLA can significantly advance our understanding of massive star formation by resolving dense gas kinematics at very high resolutions.

Contribution

It highlights the potential of the next-generation VLA to utilize maser emissions for detailed studies of star formation processes.

Findings

Enables high-resolution probing of accretion and outflow motions.

Allows study of dense gas kinematics in embedded star-forming regions.

Facilitates observations at sub-pc scales in nearby galaxies.

Abstract

Imaging the bright maser emission produced by several molecular species at centimeter wavelengths is an essential tool for understanding the process of massive star formation because it provides a way to probe the kinematics of dense molecular gas at high angular resolution. Unimpeded by the high dust optical depths that affect shorter wavelength observations, the high brightness temperature of these emission lines offers a way to resolve accretion and outflow motions down to scales as fine as $\sim$1-10 au in deeply embedded Galactic star-forming regions, and at sub-pc scales in nearby galaxies. The Next Generation Very Large Array will provide the capabilities needed to fully exploit these powerful tracers.