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| Paper: |
OH Megamasers: Discoveries, Insights, and Future Directions |
| Volume: |
340, Future Directions in High Resolution Astronomy: The 10th Anniversary of the VLBA |
| Page: |
216 |
| Authors: |
Darling, J. |
| Abstract: |
OH megamasers have been an astrophysical curiosity since their discovery in 1982, but much of the foundation of understanding the physics, environments, and hosts of OH megamasers remains incomplete. OH megamasers show much promise as tracers of major galaxy mergers and massive black hole evolution if this foundation can be solidified. We review the astrophysics of OH megamasers, their host galaxies, the OH luminosity function, the role of beaming, VLBI studies, super-VLBI resolution obtained from time variability studies, and outstanding questions that can be addressed by VLBI observations including the evolution of the fine structure constant. |
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