Infrared observations of H II regions

Abstract

For many years emission nebulae like the Great Nebula in Orion were considered essentially as ionized hydrogen clouds (HII regions) to be understood with the methods of plasma physics. Infrared observations at wavelengths between 1 and 20 μm from the ground, and in the far infrared (20 μm-1 mm) from above the atmosphere, have shown these regions to be strong infrared emitters. This radiation is due to thermal emission of dust mixed with the gas and heated by hot young stars. HII regions indicate recent star formation, and close to these regions many other signposts of early stellar development can be studied in the infrared.