STAR FORMATION IN THE SOUTHERN DARK CLOUD DC 296.2-3.6

Abstract

We report near- and mid-infrared (IR) images of the southern hemisphere dark cloud DC 296.2–3.6 associated with IRAS 11431 − 6516. The Ks and L' images show the presence of an IR nebulosity at the center of the dark cloud (DC). From the analysis of the near-IR color–color diagrams we have identified a young stellar population in the region. Five of these young stellar objects, here named A, B, C, D, and E, were also detected in the mid-IR. Sources B, D, and E are Class I–II T Tauri as suggested by the analysis of their spectral energy distributions. In addition, source E shows a long-term near-IR variability. The near-IR color–color diagrams indicate the presence of circumstellar dust envelope in sources A, B, D, and E, while the fit of SEDs of the intermediate- and low-mass objects A and B with a radiation transfer model including infalling envelope+disk+central source suggests circumstellar disks around these two objects. These results indicate that DC 296.2–3.6, located in the far Carina arm, is associated with an embedded cluster of low-mass young stellar objects.