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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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