| Photos from the 2004 East Tennessee Collegiate Division Meeting of the Tennessee Academy of Science held at Pellissippi State Technical Community College |
Detection of Methanol Masers in W49A
Lisa M. Tackett, Roane State Community College
Methanol Masers have been detected using the Haystack 37-meter Radio Telescope at MIT. Methanol masers have been recognized as a possible signpost for massive star formations. The project involves a search in the CO outflow region of W49A (in Aquilia); we are searching for Class I or II Methanol Masers. The first portion of the search is conducted at the frequency of 44 GHz by mapping the surrounding areas until a maser is detected. After a methanol maser has been detected at the 44 GHz frequency additional maps may be preformed at the transitional frequency lines. These are normally run around 25 GHz and 36 GHz. By comparing the different frequency maps the excitations of the maser may be discovered.