Masers in star-forming regions associated with cold, bright IRAS sources

Abstract

Twenty-four regions of massive star-formation have been searched for OH, H₂O, 6.6-GHz and 12.2-GHz CH₃OH masers. Chosen from the IRAS Point Source Catalog by their infrared colours, these objects are the coolest objects in the catalog. Masers were detected towards all but two of these IRAS sources. Seven sources were observed in the ¹²CO (J=1−0) line and all show evidence of molecular outflow. In six of the CO sources we have found maser emission with peaks in both the red and the blue wings of the outflow. We infer that the conditions for masing in these regions are probably produced by the mechanical energy of the outflowing material.