Title: The use of methanol masers in understanding star formation 

　Speaker:  Huib van Langevelde 

　Time: Monday, 3:00 pm, Oct 12 

　Location: Room 303, 3rd floor 

　Abstract:  

This talk will address how observations of methanol masers can be used to distinguish between models of high mass star formation. Using Cep A as an example case, we investigate the nature of its disk and jet structure. The excitation of methanol is briefly addressed, as is the use of the masers for measuring the distance. It will be discussed how linear polarisation observations can be used to determine the geometry of the magnetic field. Ideally the Zeeman effect could be deployed for measuring the quantitative significance of the magnetic field for regulating high-mass star formation. Calibrating this delicate effect for methanol has been difficult, but some progress based on theoretical molecular models is presented.