出版社：SISSA, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati
摘要：Magnetic fields potentially play an important role during massive star-formation, especially in stabilizing disks and launching outflows. Currently, the only information on the magnetic field in the dense regions close to protostars comes from maser observations. Much of the work has been focused on OH and water maser observations. Recently it has been shown that methanol masers, the most abundant of the maser species in massive star-forming regions, are also excellent probes of the magnetic field. This paper present the results of recent Effelsberg and MERLIN observations that indicate energetically dominant and large scale ordered fields in the majority of massive star-forming regions. This includes the detection of magnetic field regulated infall on the massive protostellar disk of Cepheus A HW2. With the advent of new and improved instruments such as e-MERLIN and the SKA pathfinders, maser polarization observations will be able to provide important constraints on the role of magnetic fields during massive star formation.
