PROJECT
Revealing the Physical Mechanism of Mass Ejection Around Young Massive Stars via CH₃OH Masers
Project Title: Revealing the Physical Mechanism of Mass Ejection Around Young Massive Stars via CH₃OH Masers
Project No.:
1.1.1.9/LZP/1/24/044
Project Acronym:
MMM
Project Partner:
National Institute for Astrophysics of Italy (INAF) - Astronomical Observatory of Cagliari (OAC)
Project Duration:
March 1, 2025 – February 29, 2028
Funding Sources:
- European Regional Development Fund (85%)
- State Budget Funding (10%)
- VUAS Own Funding (5%)
Total Budget: EUR 192,336
- ERDF Funding: EUR 163,485.60
- State Budget Funding: EUR 19,233.60
- VUAS Funding: EUR 9,616.80
Project Purpose
The aim of this project is to contribute significantly to the professional development of VSRC postdoctoral researcher Art Aberfeldt by enabling him to acquire new skills and establish collaborations in world-class fundamental astrophysics research. The project focuses on working with big data and applying advanced numerical models to enhance research capabilities.
Furthermore, it will facilitate knowledge transfer from Italy to Latvia, introducing unprecedented expertise in:
- Observing and processing high-frequency radio signals (20–116 GHz)
- Combining and interpreting multi-frequency observations
- Developing skills necessary for operating next-generation large-scale radio astronomy instruments
The project will positively impact RIS3 objectives by fostering growth in the information technology sector and significantly strengthening the scientific capacity of VIRAC.
Scientific Objective
The project aims to answer a key question in massive star formation: how excess angular momentum is transferred from the protostellar disk to the outflowing gas and jets, enabling an increase in protostellar mass.
Main Activities
- Processing large datasets (tens of terabytes)
- Training and skill development
- Applying for observational time on radio telescopes
- Performing statistical analysis and interpreting results
- Developing numerical simulations
- Publishing research findings
- Presenting at scientific conferences
- Engaging in long-term mobility and international collaborations
Expected Results
- 3 publications in Q1-ranked journals
- 6 presentations at international scientific conferences
Contact Information
Project Leader: Artis Aberfelds (artis.aberfelds@venta.lv)
Contact Person: Vitālijs Petkevičs (vitalijs.petkevics@venta.lv)
The research application "Revealing the physical mechanism of mass ejection around young massive stars via CH3OH masers" (No. 1.1.1.9/LZP/1/24/044) is implemented within the framework of project No. 1.1.1.9/1/24/I/001 and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
This initiative is part of the European Union Cohesion Policy Programme for 2021–2027 under the specific aid objective 1.1.1 “Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies”, Activity 1.1.1.9 “Postdoctoral research”.
Project News
Dr. Artis Aberfelds, Senior Researcher at the Engineering Research Institute "Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre" (VIRAC) of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, participated in the prestigious international symposium "SFB 1601: Cologne-Bonn Symposium on the habitats of massive stars across cosmic time" held at the University of Cologne, Germany. A scientific report on methanol maser activity around forming massive stars was presented during the event. Organized by the University of Cologne, the symposium brought together leading astrophysicists and radio astronomers from around the world to discuss the latest discoveries in star formation, the interstellar medium, and the physical processes governing the birth of stars. The research presented by Dr. Aberfelds was developed in close international collaboration with researchers A. Sanna and L. Moscadelli from the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF). Utilizing the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) in the USA – one of the world's most sensitive radio telescope arrays – the study analyzed the connection between 6.7 GHz methanol (CH3OH) maser emission, stellar radiation, and outflows from young massive stars. Key Findings and Conclusions: Discovery of 5 new maser sources: Observing 22 star-forming regions, 6.7 GHz methanol maser emission was detected in 13 objects, revealing 5 previously unknown maser sources. Precise indicator of stellar location: Over 90% of all detected maser spots are located in close proximity to the central star. Direct link with thermal free-free radio continuum emission: The study revealed a strong correlation between methanol maser luminosity and thermal radio emission, enabling astronomers to more accurately predict and identify weak radiation sources in the Universe in the future. Potential for next-generation radio telescopes: Calculations indicate that more than 30% of the methanol maser population currently remains undetected due to sensitivity limits of existing instruments. These sources will be unlocked by next-generation radio interferometers (such as the ngVLA and SKA). The research and conference participation were carried out within the framework of the Latvian Council of Science (LZP) Fundamental and Applied Research Project „Revealing the physical mechanism of mass ejection around young massive stars via CH3OH masers” (Project No. 1.1.1.9/LZP/1/24/044).
The first year of the project "Investigation of physical mechanisms of mass ejection from young massive stars using CH3OH masers" has concluded with promising results. During this period, 22 star-forming regions were analyzed, with methanol maser emission detected in 13 of them; notably, 5 of these sources are newly discovered. At the beginning of this year, postdoctoral researcher Artis Aberfelds commenced a 6-month mobility period with the project partner, the Cagliari Astronomical Observatory (OAC). The primary objectives of this residency include: Scientific Publication: Preparing a paper based on the aforementioned research findings. VLA Observations: Planning and processing data from the Very Large Array (VLA) radio telescope network. Additionally, the researcher has joined the MAGMA (“the role of MAGnetic fields in MAssive star formation”) research project. This collaboration will provide crucial insights into the role of magnetic fields across scales ranging from parsecs to astronomical units
March 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025 The first operational quarter and the month of June, in accordance with the project "Revealing the physical mechanism of mass ejection around young massive stars via CH3OH masers" plan, were marked by the first mobility period, in which postdoc researcher Artis Aberfelds visited the project partner – the Cagliari Astronomical Observatory ( OAC), which is part of the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF). During this period, I acquired the necessary knowledge to process data obtained using the Very Large Array (VLA) network of radio telescopes (see Figure 1). A standardized approach was developed to be applied to all 40 sources included in the survey of early evolutionary stage massive stars. One of the most significant early results was the detection of 6.7 GHz methanol maser emission in the G240.32+0.07 star-forming region (Figure 2). The brightness of this source is four times lower than the theoretical sensitivity limit of the Irbene RT-32 radio telescope.
On March 3 this year, the Engineering Research Institute “Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre” (VIRAC) of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (VUAS) launched a research project titled "Revealing the physical mechanism of mass ejection around young massive stars via CH3OH masers" (Project No. 1.1.1.9/LZP/1/24/044). The project aims to significantly contribute to the professional development of VSRC postdoctoral researcher Art Aberfeld by enhancing his skills, establishing new academic connections, and conducting world-class fundamental research in astrophysics. The research involves working with big data and applying advanced numerical models. The project partner is the Astronomical Observatory of Cagliari (OAC) , part of the National Institute for Astrophysics of Italy (INAF) . As part of the initiative, Art Aberfeld will participate in several extended research visits to the partner institution, acquiring new expertise. This will facilitate knowledge transfer from Italy to Latvia, bringing unprecedented competencies to the country, including: Observing and processing radio signals at high frequencies (20–116 GHz), Integrating and interpreting multi-frequency observations, Developing the skills necessary for working with next-generation large-scale radio astronomy instruments. The project will have a positive impact on the RIS3 (Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization) objectives by strengthening the information technology sector and significantly increasing the scientific capacity of the VIRAC . The scientific goal of the project is to address a fundamental question in massive star formation: how excess angular momentum is transferred from the protostellar disk to outflowing gas and jets, enabling the protostar to grow in mass. Project Details Total cost: EUR 192,336.00 ERDF funding: EUR 163,485.6 Planned outputs: Three high-impact scientific publications and presentations at six international scientific conferences. The research application "Revealing the physical mechanism of mass ejection around young massive stars via CH3OH masers" (No. 1.1.1.9/LZP/1/24/044) is implemented within the framework of project No. 1.1.1.9/1/24/I/001 and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). This initiative is part of the European Union Cohesion Policy Programme for 2021–2027 under the specific aid objective 1.1.1 “Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies”, Activity 1.1.1.9 “Postdoctoral research”. Link to Project: https://en.venta.lv/science/projects/Revealing-the-Physical-Mechanism-of-Mass-Ejection-Around-Young-Massive-Stars
