Accurate rest frequencies of methanol maser and dark cloud lines

Abstract

We report accurate laboratory measurements of selected methanol transition frequencies between 0.834 and 230 GHz in order to facilitate astronomical velocity analyses. New data have been obtained between 10 and 27 GHz and between 60 and 119 GHz. Emphasis has been put on known or potential interstellar maser lines as well as on transitions suitable for the investigation of cold dark clouds. Because of the narrow line widths (<0.5 km s-1) of maser lines and lines detected in dark molecular clouds, accurate frequencies are needed for comparison of the velocities of different methanol lines with each other as well as with lines from other species. In particular, frequencies for a comprehensive set of transitions are given which, because of their low energy levels (<20 cm-1 or 30 K), are potentially detectable in cold clouds. Global Hamiltonian fits generally do not yet yield the required accuracy. Additionally, we report transition frequencies for other lines that may be used to test and to improve existing Hamiltonian models.