Under the leadership of Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre (VIRAC) lead researchers Artis Berfelds, Janis Steinbergs and Ivars Smelds, a significant study titled "Milliarcsecond structure and variability of methanol maser emission in three high-mass protostars" has been published in the prestigious journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS). The research utilized four years of monitoring data from these sources using the Irbenes Radio Telescopes, comprising over 1,500 individual observations totaling approximately 400 hours of data. Additionally, data from the European Very Long Baseline Interferometry Network (EVN) were employed, obtained through a competitive allocation of instrument time. The EVN collaboration involved 10 radio telescopes from across Europe, as well as partners from the Republic of South Africa and China.

The key findings include the first-ever high-resolution images of the maser emission from two sources. The evolution of individual maser spots over the past 15 years was assessed, revealing that their variability is driven by changes in infrared radiation from the central star. It was concluded that one of the sources is oriented with its disk edge facing us, while indications of spiral-like structures were observed in another source. The study also uncovered the stability of maser spots, with some exhibiting persistence for decades.

CLICK HERE to the publication in the journal.