The protocluster G18.67+0.03: A test case for class i CH3OH masers as evolutionary indicators for massive star formation

Abstract

We present high angular resolution Submillimeter Array and Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array observations of the massive protocluster G18.67+0.03. Previously targeted in maser surveys of GLIMPSE Extended Green Objects (EGOs), this cluster contains three Class I CH3OH maser sources, providing a unique opportunity to test the proposed role of Class I masers as evolutionary indicators for massive star formation. The millimeter observations reveal bipolar molecular outflows, traced by 13CO(2-1) emission, associated with all three Class I maser sources. Two of these sources (including the EGO) are also associated with 6.7GHz Class II CH3OH masers; the Class II masers are coincident with millimeter continuum cores that exhibit hot core line emission and drive active outflows, as indicated by the detection of SiO(5-4). In these cases, the Class I masers are coincident with outflow lobes, and appear as clear cases of excitation by active outflows. In contrast, the third Class I source is associated with an ultracompact (UC) H II region, and not with Class II masers. The lack of SiO emission suggests that the 13CO outflow is a relic, consistent with its longer dynamical timescale. Our data show that massive young stellar objects (MYSOs) associated only with Class I masers are not necessarily young and provide the first unambiguous evidence that Class I masers may be excited by both young (hot core) and older (UC H II) MYSOs within the same protocluster. © 2012. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.