SOFIA/FORCAST Mid-Infrared Observations of the Ultra Compact H II Region W3(OH) and Three Nearby Protostars in W3
Abstract
We present infrared observations of the ultra-compact H II region W3(OH) made with Spitzer/IRAC and SOFIA/FORCAST. We contribute new wavelength data to the spectral energy distribution, which constrains the optical depth, grain size distribution, and temperature gradient of the dusty shell surrounding the H II region. We do not detect the nearby water maser source W3(H2O) at 19.7 - 37.1 microns. Additionally, we present observations of three protostellar objects in the SOFIA W3(OH) field. Models (Robitaille et al. 2007) suggest that two of these sources (2MASS J02270824+6152281, and 2MASS J02270743+6152281) are intermediate-mass protostars with luminosities 300 - 750 L_sun and 100 - 250 L_sun, respectively. Model fits to the third source (2MASS J02270887+6152344) have a luminosity range of 2800 - 4200 L_sun, which is consistent with a young B-type star with an optically thick circumstellar envelope still in its accretion phase.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #220
- Pub Date:
- May 2012
- Bibcode:
- 2012AAS...22043113A