Observations of unidentified infrared features in the pre-main sequence star HD 97048

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Infrared (2–4 μm) spectroscopy at a resolution λ/Δλ ∼ 50 of the pre-main sequence Be star HD 97048 reveals the presence of conspicuous emission features in the 3.2–3.6 μm region. Unidentified features at 3.28 and 3.41 μm have been previously reported in the spectra of galactic nebulae, including NGC 7072, and the galaxy NGC 253. However, the strongest emission feature in HD 97048, occurring at 3.50 μm, has not been observed before. Visual spectroscopy confirms the spectral classification of B9-A0 Ve and indicates weak interstellar absorption, implying that the star is not deeply embedded in the nearby Chamaeleon dark cloud. It is concluded that the emission must arise in the circumstellar shell of the star, and a possible identification with vibrationally excited solid HCHO in grain mantles is discussed.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: