Near-infrared imaging of the environment of 6.7-GHz methanol masers

Abstract

Near-infrared (NIR) images at I, J, H and K bands were made of 12 southern 6.7-GHz methanol maser sources. Astrometry accurate to 0.5 arcsec was obtained. The positions of known H II regions water masers, hydroxyl masers, and mid- and far-infrared objects in the region are examined in order to try to determine the nature of the methanol maser source. Deeply embedded NIR sources were found close to seven out of 14 maser sites. In three cases, no NIR source, H II region, water maser or hydroxyl maser could be found in likely association with the methanol masers.