New class I methanol masers

We review properties of all known collisionally pumped (class I) methanol maser series based on observations with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) and the Mopra radio telescope. Masers at 36, 84, 44 and 95 GHz are most widespread, while 9.9, 25, 23.4 and 104 GHz masers are much rarer, tracing the most energetic shocks. A survey of many southern masers at 36 and 44 GHz suggests that these two transitions are highly complementary. The 23.4 GHz maser is a new type of rare class I methanol maser, detected only in two high-mass star-forming regions, G357.97-0.16 and G343.12-0.06, and showing a behaviour similar to 9.9, 25 and 104 GHz masers. Interferometric positions suggest that shocks responsible for class I masers could arise from a range of phenomena, not merely an outflow scenario. For example, some masers might be caused by interaction of an expanding HII region with its surrounding molecular cloud. This has implications for evolutionary sequences incorporating class I methanol masers if they appear more than once during the evolution of the star-forming region. We also make predictions for candidate maser transitions at the ALMA frequency range.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures, to appear in proceedings for IAUS 287: Cosmic Masers - from OH to H

Some Aspects of the Application of Analytical Techniques in U.S. Governmental Program Management

During recent years developed countries have paid increasingly more attention to the development and implementation of complex, large-scale programs in different spheres of public policy: space, investigation, exploration of new territories, rational use of natural resources, environmental protection, etc. Some of the more remarkable examples of such programs are: the formation of the Bratsk-Ilimsk Territorial Production Complex; the construction of the Baikal-Amur Railway; and the development of the Nechernoziernnaja zone of the RSFSR in the USSR; the TVA experience; the construction of the Trans-Alaska pipeline in the USA; construction of the Shinkansen Railway in Japan. The programs were developed and implemented by countries with different socio-economic systems, and in diverse spheres of governmental activity. They are also characterized by different scales, goals, degree of government involvement and other features. However, in spite of existing differences, one can find some common methodological and organizational aspects in the management of large-scale programs. Analysis of these aspects along with the generalization of experiences, both positive and negative, gained by different countries could provide a basis for improving public management. In this respect IIASA, with its ability to organize international and multidisciplinary scientific teams to tackle problems of program management, plays a role that can hardly be over-estimated. This paper attempts to elucidate the integration of some analytical approaches into U.S. government program management

High-velocity feature of the class I methanol maser in G309.38-0.13

The Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) has been used to map class I methanol masers at 36 and 44 GHz in G309.38-0.13. Maser spots are found at nine locations in an area of 50''x30'', with both transitions reliably detected at only two locations. The brightest spot is associated with shocked gas traced by 4.5 micron emission. The data allowed us to make a serendipitous discovery of a high-velocity 36-GHz spectral feature, which is blue-shifted by about 30 km/s from the peak velocity at this frequency, but spatially located close to (within a few arcseconds of) the brightest maser spot. We interpret this as indicating an outflow parallel to the line of sight. Such a high velocity spread of maser features, which has not been previously reported in the class I methanol masers associated with a single molecular cloud, suggests that the outflow most likely interacts with a moving parcel of gas.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, accepted by MNRAS Letter