I-VLBI of molecular masers

Intense maser emissions of several molecular species (OH, CH3OH, H2O, SiO) are widely observed toward both star-formation regions and late-type stars. VLBI observations of molecular masers offer an unique opportunity to study the kinematics of the circumstellar gas in both the earliest and latest evolution phases of a star. The forthcoming Sardinia Radio Telescope (SRT) together with the other two Italian antennae of Medicina and Noto, will in the near future constitute a three-element VLBI array of sufficiently high sensitivity and angular resolution to allow one to map the strongest maser lines of CH3OH (at 6.7 GHz), H2O (at 22.2 GHz) and SiO (at 43 GHz). The Italian VLBI network (I-VLBI) can be competitive in the observation of molecular masers provided that time flexibility and frequency agility will be granted.