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Paper: |
The Arecibo OH Megamaser Survey and the Galaxy Merger Rate |
Volume: |
240, Gas and Galaxy Evolution: A Conference in Honor of the 20th Anniversary of the VLA |
Page: |
200 |
Authors: |
Darling, J.; Giovanelli, R. |
Abstract: |
We present the current results of a survey for OH megamasers (OHMs) underway at the Arecibo Observatory. The survey is 2/3 complete and has produced a high OHM detection rate (1 in 6) from a redshift-selected sample of IRAS galaxies. The survey will relate the OHM luminosity function to the galaxy merger rate, allowing subsequent blind OHM surveys to measure the galaxy merger rate as a function of cosmic time. The survey has also made the first detection of strong variability in OHMs. Variability will provide a powerful tool for understanding the small-scale physical settings and mechanisms of OHMs. The Arecibo Observatory is part of the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center, which is operated by Cornell University under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. |
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