VLA OBSERVATIONS OF THE 8 GHZ ROTATIONALLY EXCITED OH LINES TOWARD W3(OH)

The 2pi1/2, J = 3/2 and J = 5/2 main lines of OH and the continuum, at 8 GHz, have been mapped toward W3(OH) with an angular resolution of 0 .3'' and a resolution of 0.45-0.47 km s-1. The continuum maps produced in conjunction with each spectral line map were combined. In addition to the four previously found continuum features, we have tentatively detected a new weak, unresolved source. This coincides with a weak 1.7 GHz OH maser, about 7'' NE of W3(OH). The 2pi1/2, J = 3/2, F = 2-2 an d F = 1-1 main lines at 7820 and 7762 MHz, respectively, are found in absorption toward the western part of W3(OH), and both show a clumpy s tructure. There is a weak emission feature at 7820 MHz, about 0.5'' NE of the northern absorption clump. The 2pi1/2, J = 5/2, F = 2-2 main l ine, at 8136 MHz, shows only absorption, while the F = 3-3 main line, at 8190 MHz, is present in weak emission; this emission overlaps the 7 820 MHz emission region. The flux density of the F = 3-3 line has been redetermined with the 100-m telescope; this line is not polarized, an d there has been no significant change in properties since 1988. There are deviations from LTE excitation for these lines; comparisons with OH excitation models are made.