Abstract
The KW object, which has been one of the most puzzling infrared sources for three decades, has been resolved into a system of two early B-type stars with a projected separation of 2600 AU. While the more luminous component shows a huge IR excess due to circumstellar dust, the fainter one displays X-ray emission. The system is deeply embedded (A v ∼ 24 mag) in the molecular cloud M 17 SW and associated with an IR reflection nebula. A radiative transfer model of the spectral energy distribution of the IR excess object requires a stellar source of 5.1 x 10 3 L ○. - equivalent to a B0 star - surrounded by 10 M ○. of circumstellar material. The KW object is associated with a small cluster of about 150 red stars. The stellar density within 0.1 pc is >2.4 x 10 3 pc -3 . From all new evidence we suggest that the KW object is one of the youngest, most deeply embedded Herbig Be stars known to date.
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