Properties of the exciting source of the outflow in iras 20231+3440 region

Abstract

Presented are results of near-infrared JHK′ and H 2 imaging observations of the star forming region near IRAS 20231+3440, as well as results of K-band spectroscopic observation of the near-infrared point source IRS1 associated with the above. The JHK′ images indicate the presence of embedded young stellar objects. The narrow-band H2 image reveals a number of emission knots, some of which are aligned, suggestive of a molecular hydrogen jet. The northern part of the jet is associated with a known molecular flow, indicative of a physical connection. The orientation of the jet suggests that IRS1 may be its exciting source, the K-band spectrum of IRS1 providing further evidence. The energy spectrum of IRS1 derived from the near-infrared, MSX and IRAS data indicates that it is a medium-mass Class I young stellar object.