Abstract

High-quality K-band spectra of point sources, deeply embedded in massive star-forming regions, have revealed a population of 20 young massive stars showing no photospheric absorption lines, but only emission lines. The K-band spectra exhibit one or more features commonly associated with massive Young Stellar Objects surrounded by circumstellar material: a very red color –5000 K) region, sufficiently shielded from the intense UV radiation field of the young massive star. Modeling of the CO-first overtone emission shows that the CO gas is located within 5 AU of the star. The hydrogen emission is produced in an ionized medium exposed to UV radiation. The best geometrical configuration is a dense and neutral circumstellar disk causing the CO bandhead emission, and an ionized upper layer where the hydrogen lines are produced. We argue that the circumstellar disk is likely a remnant of the accretion via a circumstellar disk.

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call