GBT23A-350

Search of Hypercompact HII Regions Towards Methanol Masers

Abstract

The formation of high-mass stars is still an active area of research with many still unsolved questions. In this project, we aim to identify a large sample of very young and compact HII regions associated with massive protostars. These are formed towards the end of the main accretion phase and so studying their properties will provide insight into the physical conditions and kinematic of the clumps and embedded object in this important phase when accretion is terminated and the mass of the star is fixed. We will target the positions of methanol masers, which are an excellent signpost for the presence of high-mass protostellar objects to identify those that have just started to ionize their natal environments. Only 23 HCHII regions are currently known and this project is expected to quadruple the known population.

Investigators

Name	Institution
Larry Morgan	Green Bank Observatory
James Urquhart *	Australia Telescope National Facility ; Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie; Kent, University of
Aiyuan Yang	Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie; Hertfordshire, University of; National Astronomical Observatories, CAS
Mark Thompson	Hertfordshire, University of
Toby Moore	Liverpool John Moores University

* indicates the PI