Infrared reflection nebula in W75N

T. Yamashita, S. Sato, M. Tamura, H. Suzuki, I. Gatley, J. Hough, C.M. Mountain, T.J.T. Moore

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A new infrared reflection nebula is identified in the W75N region. The K-band polarization map shows a centrosymmetric pattern of the vectors extending over a region 2 arcmin in size, with large values of degrees of polarization, up to 50 per cent. The illuminating source is identified with the ultracompact H II region W75N(B) which is located at the center of polarization pattern. The intensity peak, IRS-1, is not a self-luminous source but is rather a bright knot in the reflection nebula. The northern peak, IRS-4, located on a second ultracompact H II region, W75N(A), extends for more than 30 arcsec and is less polarized (5-10 percent). The near-infrared light of IRS-4 is attributed to thermal emission from small (about 10 A) dust grains. The different polarization and spatial distribution of the near-infrared emission around these two ultracompact H II regions are explained by the different dust densities around them, probably due to their different evolutionary stages.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)899-905
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume233
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - 1988

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