Speaker
Description
Maser emission is an multi-purpose tool of astrophysical research, offering a unique window into a vast range of astronomical sources and spatial scales - from a few astronomical units around forming protostars to kiloparsecs in distant galaxies. These naturally occurring microwave amplifiers penetrate the dust shells of star-forming regions, unveiling the intricate dynamics of accretion disks and outflows. On larger scales, they can trace the structure of a galaxy, reveal black hole surroundings, and illuminate galactic evolution. Masers not only map their host sites but also provide crucial information on system kinematics, polarization properties, and magnetic fields.
The SKA-Mid will enable observations of three most common masing molecules: hydroxyl and methanol masers during the first phase of commissioning, and later also water masers. The SKA’s broad frequency range will also be crucial for discovering and studying new, yet unknown maser types. Masers, known for their extreme brightness, will play a key role in the early testing of the SKA, providing reliable reference sources for calibration. At the same time, faint masers, allowing detailed imaging and kinematical studies of their host environments, will be equally, if not more, valuable. The SKA’s exceptional sensitivity will grant access to a complete view of nearby sources and extend our reach to far away objects, deepening our understanding of their physical conditions and potentially leading to groundbreaking discoveries.
With its extraordinary spectral resolution, the SKA will allow us to explore maser systems in unprecedented detail, from stellar nurseries and evolved stars to distant galaxies previously beyond our reach. Masers will be essential diagnostic tools for studying magnetic fields through their polarization properties, revealing the forces shaping the cosmos. Furthermore, multi-frequency, simultaneous observations will offer crucial insights into maser themselves, helping to decipher their formation and role in astrophysical processes. Masers are the ultimate all-purpose tools of astronomy - indispensable for any observatory under construction. With the SKA, we will refine our understanding of stellar evolution and galactic structure while uncovering new and unexpected discoveries, making masers a fundamental component of next-generation astrophysical research.
| Topics | Cradle of Life & Our Galaxy |
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