SYNCHROTRON EMISSION FROM THE H2O MASER SOURCE IN W3(OH)

We present a study of the radio continuum source found near the positi on of the H2O masers and the Turner-Welch source in the W3(OH) region. The source spectrum from 1.6 to 15 GHz exhibits a power law with spec tral index -0.6. The continuum source is elongated in the east-west di rection and its size decreases linearly with increasing frequency. The se observations provide strong evidence for synchrotron emission from an inhomogeneous source. The elongated continuum source is coincident within 0.''1 of the center of expansion of the H2O masers and is align ed with the dominant H2O outflow pattern. A possible model for the sys tem includes an early-type star with a fast collimated wind that drive s a jetlike outflow. Fast shocks in the wind or jet accelerate electro ns, via a first-order Fermi process, to relativistic speeds necessary for synchrotron emission. The jet impinges on the surrounding molecula r material and shocks and accelerates this material, leading to the mo tions observed in the H2O masers.