OH masers in nearby galaxies

Abstract

Using the VLA, a series of high velocity resolution observations have been made of the M82 starburst. These observations follow up on previous studies of the main line OH maser emission in the central kiloparsec of this starburst region, but with greater velocity resolution than previous observations. A total of thirteen masers were detected, including all but one of the previously known sources. These new results clearly show velocity structure in spectra from several of the maser regions. Position-velocity plots show good agreement with the distribution of HI including interesting velocity structure on the blue-ward feature in the west of the starburst which traces the velocity distribution seen in the ionised gas as traced by [NeII] for example.