2006ApJ...643L..33A

We report the detection of a new H₂CO maser in the massive star-forming region G23.71-0.20 (IRAS 18324-0820). This is the fifth region in the Galaxy where H₂CO maser emission has been found. The new H₂CO maser is located toward a compact H II region and is coincident in velocity and position with 6.7 GHz methanol masers and with an IR source as revealed by Spitzer IRAC data from GLIMPSE. The coincidence with an IR source and 6.7 GHz methanol masers suggests that the maser is in close proximity to an embedded massive protostar. Thus, the detection of H₂CO maser emission toward G23.71-0.20 supports the trend that H₂CO 6 cm masers trace molecular material very near young massive stellar objects.