Abstract
Measurements of the J(k) = 13(2) - 13(1)E (27.471 GHz), the 4(0) - 3(1)E (28.316 GHz) and the 8(2) - 9(1)A- (28.970 GHz) lines of CH3OH with the 100-m telescope are reported; the 13(2) - 13(1)E and 8(2) - 9(1)A- lines have been found for the first time in astronomical sources. The 8(2) - 9(1)A- line is found in emission toward the compact HII region W3 (OH). Presumably this line is produced by maser action. The 4(0) - 3(1) E line is found in absorption. Toward Orion KL, these three lines appear as two blended emission features. The most intense feature is centered between 5 and 10'' south of the Hot Core region. The sizes range from less than 15'' to 20''. The rotational temperature obtained from these results is 100 K, somewhat lower than previously obtained. Weak emission from W51 e 1/e2 in the 4(0) - 3(1)E line was also detected. For W3 (OH) and Orion KL, the column densities obtained from measurements of the 4(0) - 3(1)E lines exceed the predicted values by more than a factor of two. The excitation of these methanol lines is discussed.