High School Determining the transition frequency

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The discussion focuses on understanding how researchers identify the specific type of MASER, particularly the methanol MASER with a transition frequency of 6.7 GHz. Key questions include how the observed signal's long period and narrow bandwidth relate to the identified transition and whether the bandwidth is derived from the power spectrum centered on the transition frequency. The inquiry highlights the importance of analyzing the autocorrelation of flux density to determine the MASER's characteristics. Additional resources, including a relevant paper and spectrum visuals, are suggested for further clarification. This exploration emphasizes the complexities involved in MASER identification and analysis.
TheCanadian
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I was reading through a paper on MASERs, and perhaps it is obvious, but I am missing how authors determined what type of MASER it is. For example, the observed signal itself has a period of days and the bandwidth is on the order of ##10^{-5}## Hz yet the frequency of the transition responsible for the MASER is 6.7 GHz in methanol. My questions are: how do we know this is the molecule and transition causing this MASER to be seen? Is the bandwidth one computes based on the power spectrum (i.e. FFT of the autocorrelation of the flux density) centred on 6.7 GHz when the researchers are conducting the observations?

My apologies if this is a trivial question, I just seem to be missing something...
 
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