IRAS 06562{minus}0337, The Ironclad Nebula: A New Young Star Cluster

Journal Article · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1998 · Astronomical Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/300402· OSTI ID:666543

Alves, D R ^[1]; Hoard, D W; Rodgers, B ^[2]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550 (United States)
2. Department of Astronomy, University of Washington, Box 351580, Seattle, WA 98195 (United States)

IRAS 06562{minus}0337 has been the recent subject of a classic debate: is it a proto{endash}planetary nebula or a young stellar object? We present the first 2 {mu}m image of IRAS 06562{minus}0337, which reveals an extended diffuse nebula containing approximately 70 stars inside a 30{double_prime} radius around a bright, possibly resolved, central object. The derived stellar luminosity function is consistent with that expected from a single coeval population, and the brightness of the nebulosity is consistent with the predicted flux of unresolved low-mass stars. The stars and nebulosity are spatially coincident with strong CO line emission. We therefore identify IRAS 06562{minus}0337 as a new young star cluster embedded in its placental molecular cloud. The central object is likely a Herbig Be star, {ital M} {approx} 20 {ital M}{sub {circle_dot}}, which may be seen in reflection. We present medium-resolution high signal-to-noise ratio 1997 epoch optical spectra of the central object. Comparison with previously published spectra shows new evidence for time-variable permitted and forbidden line emission, including Si ii, Fe ii, [Fe ii], and [O i]. We suggest that the origin is a dynamic stellar wind in the extended stratified atmosphere of the massive central star in IRAS 06562{minus}0337. {copyright} {ital {copyright} 1998.} {ital The American Astronomical Society}

• OSTI ID: 666543
• Journal Information: Astronomical Journal, Journal Name: Astronomical Journal Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 116; ISSN ANJOAA; ISSN 0004-6256
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
ELEMENT ABUNDANCE
IMAGE PROCESSING
INFRARED RADIATION
NEBULAE
RADIOASTRONOMY
STAR CLUSTERS
STARS
STELLAR WINDS