Extended OH(1720 MHz) maser emission from supernova remnants

J. W. Hewitt*, F. Yusef-Zadeh, M. Wardle, D. A. Roberts

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalConference paperpeer-review

    3 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Compact OH(1720 MHz) masers have proven to be excellent signposts for the interaction of supernova remnants with adjacent molecular clouds. Less appreciated has been the weak, extended OH(1720 MHz) emission which accompanies strong compact maser sources. Recent single-dish and interferometric observations reveal the majority of maser-emitting supernova remnants(SNRs) have accompanying regions of extended maser emission. Enhanced OH abundance created by the passing shock is observed both as maser emission and absorption against the strong background of the remnant. Modeling the observed OH profiles gives an estimate of the physical conditions in which weak, extended maser emission arises. I will discuss how we can realize the utility of this extended maser emission, particularly the potential to measure the strength of the post-shock magnetic field via Zeeman splitting over these large-scales.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)307-311
    Number of pages5
    JournalProceedings of the International Astronomical Union
    Volume3
    Issue numberS242
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Mar 2007
    EventIAU Symposium 242: Astrophysical masers and their environments - Alice Springs, Australia
    Duration: 12 Mar 200716 Mar 2007

    Keywords

    • ISM: magnetic fields
    • Masers
    • Supernova remnants

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