Proper Motions of Water Masers in the Star-forming Region IRAS 23139+5939

TL;DR

This study uses multi-epoch VLBI observations to analyze water maser motions in the high-mass star-forming region IRAS 23139+5939, revealing outflows and maser variability related to star formation activity.

Contribution

First multi-epoch VLBI measurements of water maser proper motions in IRAS 23139+5939, linking maser dynamics to star formation processes.

Findings

Maser groups show expanding motions indicating outflows.

One maser group traces a wide-angle outflow along the line of sight.

High variability of masers suggests active star formation activity.

Abstract

We observed H$_2$O (6$_{16}$ $\rightarrow$ 5$_{23}$) maser emission associated with the high-mass star-forming region IRAS 23139+5959 using the KaVA a combination of VLBI arrays between the KVN (Korea) and VERA (Japan). Through multi-epoch KaVA observations, we detected three groups of maser features, two of which coincide with those previously detected by the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA). By determining the maser proper motions, we found that the first of maser groups exhibit an expanding motion that traces a wide-angle outflow almost along the line of sight, while the second one seems to be associated with the envelope of an \hii region. We discuss the star formation activity in IRAS 23139+5939, which may be reflected in the high variability of H$_2$O masers associated with an outflow seen from the front.