# The Potential of FAST in Detecting Celestial Hydroxyl Masers and Related Science Topics

## TL;DR

FAST, the world's most sensitive single-dish radio telescope, has significant potential to advance the detection and study of Galactic and extragalactic hydroxyl masers, impacting astrophysical research.

## Contribution

This paper discusses the capabilities of FAST in detecting hydroxyl masers and explores its scientific impact on maser research and related topics.

## Key findings

- FAST's high sensitivity enables detection of faint masers.
- Potential for large-scale OH megamaser surveys.
- Expected scientific advancements in maser astrophysics.

## Abstract

The Five Hundred Meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) will make contributions to the study of Galactic and extragalactic masers. The telescope, now finished construction and commissioning in China, has an innovative design that leads to the highest sensitivity of any single dish telescope in the world. FAST's potential for OH megamaser research is discussed, including the sky density of masers detectable in surveys. The scientific impact expected from FAST maser studies is also discussed.