Low-mass Objects Research Articles

Understanding the Angular Momentum Evolution of T Tauri and Herbig Ae/Be Stars

Abstract We investigate a sample of six Herbig Ae/Be stars belonging to the Orion OB1 association, as well as 73 low-mass objects, members of the σ Orionis cluster, in order to explore the angular momentum evolution at early stages of evolution, and its possible connection with main-sequence Ap/Bp magnetic stars. Using FIES and HECTOCHELLE spectra, we obtain projected rotational velocities through two independent methods. Individual masses, radii, and ages are computed using evolutionary models, distance, and cluster extinction. Under the assumption that similar physical processes operate in both T Tauri and Herbig Ae/Be stars, we construct snapshots of the protostar’s rotation against mass during the first 10 Myr with the aid of a rotational model that includes a variable disk lifetime, changes in the stellar moment of inertia, a dipolar magnetic field with variable strength, and angular momentum loss through stellar winds powered by accretion. We use these snapshots, as well as the rotational data, to infer a plausible scenario for the angular momentum evolution. We find that magnetic field strengths of a few kilo-Gauss at 3 Myr are required to match the rotational velocities of both groups of stars. Models with masses between 2 M ⊙ and 3 M ⊙ display larger angular momentum values by a factor of ∼3, in comparison to stars of similar spectral types on the main sequence. Even though some quantitative estimates on this dramatic decrease with age for Ap/Bp magnetic main-sequence stars are presented, the results obtained for the angular momentum evolution do not explain their low rotation rates.

Black holes merging with low mass gap objects inside globular clusters

Recently, the LIGO and Virgo collaborations have reported the coalescence of a binary involving a black hole and a low-mass gap object (LMGO) with mass in the range approximately $2.5--5\text{ }\text{ }{M}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}}$. Such detections challenge our understanding of the black hole and neutron star mass spectrum, as well as how such binaries evolve especially if isolated. In this work, we study the dynamical formation of compact object pairs, via multiple binary-single exchanges that occur at the cores of globular clusters. We start with a population of binary star systems, which interact with single compact objects as first generation black holes and LMGOs. We evaluate the rate of exchange interactions leading to the formation of compact object binaries. Our calculations include all possible types of binary-single exchange interactions and also the interactions of individual stars with compact object binaries that can evolve their orbital properties, leading to their eventual merger. We perform our calculations for the full range of the observed Milky Way globular cluster environments. We find that the exchanges are efficient in forming hard compact object binaries at the cores of dense astrophysical stellar environments. Furthermore, if the population size of the LMGOs is related to that of neutron stars, the inferred merger rate density of black hole--LMGO binaries inside globular clusters in the local Universe is estimated to be about $0.1\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{Gpc}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}\text{ }{\mathrm{yr}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, with the full range of rate values being between ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ to $1\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{Gpc}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{yr}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$.

GRAVITY K-band spectroscopy of HD 206893 B

Context. Near-infrared interferometry has become a powerful tool for studying the orbital and atmospheric parameters of substellar companions. Aims. We aim to reveal the nature of the reddest known substellar companion HD 206893 B by studying its near-infrared colors and spectral morphology and by investigating its orbital motion. Methods. We fit atmospheric models for giant planets and brown dwarfs and perform spectral retrievals with petitRADTRANS and ATMO on the observed GRAVITY, SPHERE, and GPI spectra of HD 206893 B. To recover its unusual spectral features, first and foremost its extremely red near-infrared color, we include additional extinction by high-altitude dust clouds made of enstatite grains in the atmospheric model fits. However, forsterite, corundum, and iron grains predict similar extinction curves for the grain sizes considered here. We also infer the orbital parameters of HD 206893 B by combining the ~100 μas precision astrometry from GRAVITY with data from the literature and constrain the mass and position of HD 206893 C based on the Gaia proper motion anomaly of the system. Results. The extremely red color and the very shallow 1.4 μm water absorption feature of HD 206893 B can be fit well with the adapted atmospheric models and spectral retrievals. By comparison with AMES-Cond evolutionary tracks, we find that only some atmosphericmodels predict physically plausible objects. Altogether, our analysis suggests an age of ~ 3–300 Myr and a mass of ~ 5–30 MJup for HD 206893 B, which is consistent with previous estimates but extends the parameter space to younger and lower-mass objects. The GRAVITY astrometry points to an eccentric orbit (e = 0.29−0.11+0.06) with a mutual inclination of <34.4 deg with respectto the debris disk of the system. Conclusions. While HD 206893 B could in principle be a planetary-mass companion, this possibility hinges on the unknown influence of the inner companion on the mass estimate of 10−4+5 MJup from radial velocity and Gaia as well as a relatively small but significant Argus moving group membership probability of ~ 61%. However, we find that if the mass of HD 206893 B is <30 MJup, then the inner companion HD 206893 C should have a mass between ~ 8–15 MJup. Finally, further spectroscopic or photometric observations at higher signal-to-noise and longer wavelengths are required to learn more about the composition and dust cloud properties of HD 206893 B.

GIARPS High-resolution Observations of T Tauri stars (GHOsT)

The mass-accretion rate,Ṁacc, is a crucial parameter for the study of the evolution of accretion disks around young low-mass stellar objects (YSOs) and for planet formation studies. The Taurus star forming region (SFR) is rich in pre-main sequence stars, most of them of the T Tauri class. A variety of methodologies have been used in the past to measure mass accretion in samples of YSOs in Taurus, but despite being a general benchmark for star formation studies, a comprehensive and systematic analysis of the Taurus T Tauri population, where the stellar and accretion properties are derived homogeneously and simultaneously, is still missing. As part of the GIARPS High-resolution Observations of T Tauri stars (GHOsT) project, here we present a pilot study of the stellar and accretion properties of seven YSOs in Taurus using the spectrograph GIARPS at the Telescopio NazionaleGalileo. Contemporaneous low-resolution spectroscopic and photometric ancillary observations allow us to perform an accurate flux calibration of the high-resolution spectra. The simultaneity of the high-resolution, wide-band spectroscopic observations, from the optical to the near-infrared (NIR), the veiling measurements in such wide spectral range, and many well-calibrated emission line diagnostics allows us to derive the stellar and accretion properties of the seven YSOs in a homogeneous and self-consistent way. The procedures and methodologies presented here will be adopted in future works for the analysis of the complete GHOsT data set. We discuss the accretion properties of the seven YSOs in comparison with the 90% complete sample of YSOs in the Lupus SFR and investigate possibilities for the origin of the continuum excess emission in the NIR.

Accretion bursts in high-mass protostars: A new test bed for models of episodic accretion

Aims. It is well known that low-mass young stellar objects (LMYSOs) gain a significant portion of their final mass through episodes of very rapid accretion, with mass accretion rates up to Ṁ∗ ∼ 10−4 M⊙ yr−1. Recent observations of high-mass young stellar objects (HMYSOs) with masses M∗ ≳ 10 M⊙ uncovered outbursts with accretion rates exceeding Ṁ∗ ∼ 10−3 M⊙ yr−1. Here, we examine which scenarios proposed in the literature so far to explain accretion bursts of LMYSOs can also apply to the episodic accretion in HMYSOs. Methods. We utilise 1D time-dependent models of protoplanetary discs around HMYSOs to study burst properties. Results. We find that discs around HMYSOs are much hotter than those around their low-mass cousins. As a result, a much more extended region of the disc is prone to the thermal hydrogen ionisation and magnetorotational activation instabilities. The former, in particular, is found to be ubiquitous in a very wide range of accretion rates and disc viscosity parameters. The outbursts triggered by these instabilities, however, always have too low of an Ṁ∗ and are one to several orders of magnitude too long compared to those observed from HMYSOs to date. On the other hand, bursts generated by tidal disruptions of gaseous giant planets formed by the gravitational instability of the protoplanetary discs yield properties commensurate with observations, provided that the clumps are in the post-collapse configuration with planet radius Rp ≳ 10 Jupiter radii. Furthermore, if observed bursts are caused by disc ionisation instabilities, then they should be periodic phenomena with the duration of the quiescent phase comparable to that of the bursts. This may yield potentially observable burst periodicity signatures in the jets, the outer disc, or the surrounding diffuse material of massive HMYSOs. Bursts produced by disruptions of planets or more massive objects are not expected to be periodic phenomena, although multiple bursts per protostar are possible. Conclusions. Observations and modelling of episodic accretion bursts across a wide range of young stellar object (YSO) masses is a new promising avenue to break the degeneracy between models of episodic accretion in YSOs.

On the Random Motion of Nuclear Objects in a Fuzzy Dark Matter Halo

Abstract Fuzzy dark matter (FDM), consisting of ultralight bosons ( m b ∼ 10 − 22 eV ), is an intriguing alternative to cold dark matter. Numerical simulations that solve the Schrödinger–Poisson (SP) equation show that FDM halos consist of a central solitonic core, which is the ground state of the SP equation, surrounded by an envelope of interfering excited states. These excited states also interfere with the soliton, causing it to oscillate and execute a confined random walk with respect to the halo center of mass. Using high-resolution numerical simulations of a 6.6 × 10 9 M ⊙ FDM halo with m b = 8 × 10 − 23 eV in isolation, we demonstrate that the wobbling, oscillating soliton gravitationally perturbs nuclear objects, such as supermassive black holes or dense star clusters, causing them to diffuse outwards. In particular, we show that, on average, objects with mass ≲0.3% of the soliton mass ( M sol ) are expelled from the soliton in ∼3 Gyr , after which they continue their outward diffusion due to gravitational interactions with the soliton and the halo granules. More massive objects (≳ 1 % M sol ), while executing a random walk, remain largely confined to the soliton due to dynamical friction. We also present an effective treatment of the diffusion, based on kinetic theory, that accurately reproduces the outward motion of low-mass objects and briefly discuss how the observed displacements of star clusters and active galactic nuclei from the centers of their host galaxies can be used to constrain FDM.

The EBLM project – VIII. First results for M-dwarf mass, radius, and effective temperature measurements using CHEOPS light curves

ABSTRACT The accuracy of theoretical mass, radius, and effective temperature values for M-dwarf stars is an active topic of debate. Differences between observed and theoretical values have raised the possibility that current theoretical stellar structure and evolution models are inaccurate towards the low-mass end of the main sequence. To explore this issue, we use the CHEOPS satellite to obtain high-precision light curves of eclipsing binaries with low-mass stellar companions. We use these light curves combined with the spectroscopic orbit for the solar-type companion to measure the mass, radius, and effective temperature of the M-dwarf star. Here, we present the analysis of three eclipsing binaries. We use the pycheops data analysis software to fit the observed transit and eclipse events of each system. Two of our systems were also observed by the TESS satellite – we similarly analyse these light curves for comparison. We find consistent results between CHEOPS and TESS, presenting three stellar radii and two stellar effective temperature values of low-mass stellar objects. These initial results from our on-going observing programme with CHEOPS show that we can expect to have ∼24 new mass, radius, and effective temperature measurements for very low-mass stars within the next few years.

New low-mass members of Chamaeleon I and ϵ Cha

Aims. The goal of this paper is to increase the membership list of the Chamaeleon star-forming region and the ϵ Cha moving group, in particular for low-mass stars and substellar objects. We extended the search region significantly beyond the dark clouds. Methods. Our sample has been selected based on proper motions and colours obtained from Gaia and 2MASS. We present and discuss the optical spectroscopic follow-up of 18 low-mass stellar objects in Cha I and ϵ Cha. We characterize the properties of objects by deriving their physical parameters from spectroscopy and photometry. Results. We add three more low-mass members to the list of Cha I and increase the census of known ϵ Cha members by more than 40%, thereby spectroscopically confirming 13 new members and relying on X-ray emission as youth indicator for 2 more. In most cases the best-fitting spectral template is from objects in the TW Hya association, indicating that ϵ Cha has a similar age. The first estimate of the slope of the initial mass function in ϵ Cha down to the substellar regime is consistent with that of other young clusters. We estimate our initial mass function (IMF) to be complete down to ≈0.03 M⊙. The IMF can be represented by two power laws: for M < 0.5 M⊙ α = 0.42 ± 0.11 and for M > 0.5 M⊙ α = 1.44 ± 0.12. Conclusions. We find similarities between ϵ Cha and the southernmost part of Lower Centaurus Crux (LCC A0), which lie at similar distances and share the same proper motions. This suggests that ϵ Cha and LCC A0 may have been born during the same star formation event

Carbon-chain Chemistry versus Complex-organic-molecule Chemistry in Envelopes around Three Low-mass Young Stellar Objects in the Perseus Region

Abstract We have analyzed ALMA Cycle 5 data in Band 4 toward three low-mass young stellar objects, IRAS 03235+3004 (hereafter IRAS 03235), IRAS 03245+3002 (IRAS 03245), and IRAS 03271+3013 (IRAS 03271), in the Perseus region. The HC3N (J = 16–15; E up/k = 59.4 K) line has been detected in all of the target sources, while four CH3OH lines (E up/k = 15.4–36.3 K) have been detected only in IRAS 03245. Sizes of the HC3N distributions (∼2930–3230 au) in IRAS 03235 and IRAS 03245 are similar to those of the carbon-chain species in the warm carbon-chain chemistry (WCCC) source L1527. The size of the CH3OH emission in IRAS 03245 is ∼1760 au, which is slightly smaller than that of HC3N in this source. We compare the CH3OH/HC3N abundance ratios observed in these sources with predictions of chemical models. We confirm that the observed ratio in IRAS 03245 agrees with the modeled values at temperatures around 30–35 K, which supports the HC3N formation by the WCCC mechanism. In this temperature range, CH3OH does not thermally desorb from dust grains. Nonthermal desorption mechanisms or gas-phase formation of CH3OH seem to work efficiently around IRAS 03245. The fact that IRAS 03245 has the highest bolometric luminosity among the target sources seems to support these mechanisms, in particular the nonthermal desorption mechanisms.

Unveiling the traits of massive young stellar objects through a multi-scale survey

Context. The rarity and deeply embedded nature of young massive stars has limited the understanding of the formation of stars with masses larger than 8 M⊙. Previous work has shown that complementing spectral energy distributions with interferometric and imaging data can probe the circumstellar environments of massive young stellar objects (MYSOs) well. However, complex studies of single objects often use different approaches in their analysis. Therefore the results of these studies cannot be directly compared. Aims. This work aims to obtain the physical characteristics of a sample of MYSOs at ~0.01″ scales, at ~0.1″ scales, and as a whole, which enables us to compare the characteristics of the sources. Methods. We apply the same multi-scale method and analysis to a sample of MYSOs. High-resolution interferometric data (MIDI/VLTI), near-diffraction-limited imaging data (VISIR/VLT, COMICS/Subaru), and a multi-wavelength spectral energy distribution are combined. By fitting simulated observables derived from 2.5D radiative transfer models of disk-outflow-envelope systems to our observations, the properties of the MYSOs are constrained. Results. We find that the observables of all the MYSOs can be reproduced by models with disk-outflow-envelope geometries, analogous to the Class I geometry associated with low-mass protostars. The characteristics of the envelopes and the cavities within them are very similar across our sample. On the other hand, the disks seem to differ between the objects, in particular with regards to what we interpret as evidence of complex structures and inner holes. Conclusions. The MYSOs of this sample have similar large-scale geometries, but variance is observed among their disk properties. This is comparable to the morphologies observed for low-mass young stellar objects. A strong correlation is found between the luminosity of the central MYSO and the size of the transition disk-like inner hole for the MYSOs, implying that photoevaporation or the presence of binary companions may be the cause.

Exploring the contamination of the DES-Y1 cluster sample with SPT-SZ selected clusters

ABSTRACT We perform a cross validation of the cluster catalogue selected by the red-sequence Matched-filter Probabilistic Percolation algorithm (redMaPPer) in Dark Energy Survey year 1 (DES-Y1) data by matching it with the Sunyaev–Zel’dovich effect (SZE) selected cluster catalogue from the South Pole Telescope SPT-SZ survey. Of the 1005 redMaPPer selected clusters with measured richness $\hat{\lambda }\gt 40$ in the joint footprint, 207 are confirmed by SPT-SZ. Using the mass information from the SZE signal, we calibrate the richness–mass relation using a Bayesian cluster population model. We find a mass trend λ ∝ MB consistent with a linear relation (B ∼ 1), no significant redshift evolution and an intrinsic scatter in richness of σλ = 0.22 ± 0.06. By considering two error models, we explore the impact of projection effects on the richness–mass modelling, confirming that such effects are not detectable at the current level of systematic uncertainties. At low richness SPT-SZ confirms fewer redMaPPer clusters than expected. We interpret this richness dependent deficit in confirmed systems as due to the increased presence at low richness of low-mass objects not correctly accounted for by our richness-mass scatter model, which we call contaminants. At a richness $\hat{\lambda }=40$, this population makes up ${\gt}12{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ (97.5 percentile) of the total population. Extrapolating this to a measured richness $\hat{\lambda }=20$ yields ${\gt}22{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ (97.5 percentile). With these contamination fractions, the predicted redMaPPer number counts in different plausible cosmologies are compatible with the measured abundance. The presence of such a population is also a plausible explanation for the different mass trends (B ∼ 0.75) obtained from mass calibration using purely optically selected clusters. The mean mass from stacked weak lensing (WL) measurements suggests that these low-mass contaminants are galaxy groups with masses ∼3–5 × 1013 M⊙ which are beyond the sensitivity of current SZE and X-ray surveys but a natural target for SPT-3G and eROSITA.

Low-mass compact elliptical galaxies: spatially resolved stellar populations and kinematics with the Keck Cosmic Web Imager

ABSTRACT We present spatially resolved two-dimensional maps and radial trends of the stellar populations and kinematics for a sample of six compact elliptical galaxies (cE) using spectroscopy from the Keck Cosmic Web Imager (KCWI). We recover their star formation histories, finding that all except one of our cEs are old and metal rich, with both age and metallicity decreasing toward their outer radii. We also use the integrated values within one effective radius to study different scaling relations. Comparing our cEs with others from the literature and from simulations we reveal the formation channel that these galaxies might have followed. All our cEs are fast rotators, with relatively high rotation values given their low ellipticites. In general, the properties of our cEs are very similar to those seen in the cores of more massive galaxies, and in particular, to massive compact galaxies. Five out of our six cEs are the result of stripping a more massive (compact or extended) galaxy, and only one cE is compatible with having been formed intrinsically as the low-mass compact object that we see today. These results further confirm that cEs are a mixed-bag of galaxies that can be formed following different formation channels, reporting for the first time an evolutionary link within the realm of compact galaxies (at all stellar masses).

Investigating episodic accretion in a very low-mass young stellar object

Investigating episodic accretion in a very low-mass young stellar object

Lithium abundance is a gravitational model dependent quantity

The dependence of lithium abundance on modified gravity in low-mass stellar objects is demonstrated. This may introduce an additional uncertainty to age determination techniques of young stars and globular clusters if they rely on the light element depletion method.

In-Hand Object-Dynamics Inference Using Tactile Fingertips

Having the ability to estimate an object's properties through interaction will enable robots to manipulate novel objects. Object's dynamics, specifically the friction and inertial parameters have only been estimated in a lab environment with precise and often external sensing. Could we infer an object's dynamics in the wild with only the robot's sensors? In this article, we explore the estimation of dynamics of a grasped object in motion, with tactile force sensing at multiple fingertips. Our estimation approach does not rely on torque sensing to estimate the dynamics. To estimate friction, we develop a control scheme to actively interact with the object until slip is detected. To robustly perform the inertial estimation, we setup a factor graph that fuses all our sensor measurements on physically consistent manifolds and perform inference. We show that tactile fingertips enable in-hand dynamics estimation of low mass objects.

Early evolutionary tracks of low-mass stellar objects in modified gravity

Using a simple model of low-mass stellar objects we have shown modified gravity impact on their early evolution, such as Hayashi tracks, radiative core development, effective temperature, masses, and luminosities. We have also suggested that the upper mass' limit of fully convective stars on the Main Sequence might be different than commonly adopted.

VLA ammonia observations of L1287

Aims. In this paper, we study the dense gas of the molecular cloud LDN 1287 (L1287), which harbors a double FU Ori system, an energetic molecular outflow, and a still-forming cluster of deeply embedded low-mass young stellar objects that show a high level of fragmentation. Methods. We present optical Hα and [SII], and VLA NH3 (1, 1) and (2, 2) observations with an angular resolution of ~3′′.5. The observed NH3 spectra have been analyzed with the Hyperfine Structure tool, fitting simultaneously three different velocity components. Results. The NH3 emission from L1287 comes from four different structures: a core associated with RNO 1, a guitar-shaped core (the Guitar) and two interlaced filaments (the blue and red filaments) roughly centered toward the binary FU Ori system RNO 1B/1C and its associated cluster. Regarding the Guitar core, there are clear signatures of gas infall onto a central mass that has been estimated to be ~2.1M⊙. Regarding the two filaments, they have radii of ~0.03 pc, masses per unit length of ~50M⊙ pc−1, and are in near isothermal equilibrium. A central cavity is identified, probably related with the outflow and also revealed by the Hα and [SII] emission, with several young stellar objects near its inner walls. Both filaments show clear signs of perturbation by the high-velocity gas of the outflows driven by one or several young stellar objects of the cluster. The blue and red filaments are coherent in velocity and have nearly subsonic gas motions, except at the position of the embedded sources. Velocity gradients across the blue filament can be interpreted either as infalling material onto the filament or rotation. Velocity gradients along the filaments are interpreted as infall motions toward a gravitational well at the intersection of the two filaments.

Sputtering of Presolar Grains via Galactic Cosmic Rays in the Interstellar Medium

Abstract The sputtering rate of presolar silicon carbide grains due to galactic cosmic rays has been computed for their experimentally deduced lifetimes (∼1 Gyr) in the interstellar medium. An ion target simulator, SDTrimSP, was used to model the sputtering of interstellar grains with varying sizes and thicknesses of the ice mantle formed around the grain during their journey through the interstellar medium. Temperature, composition, and density for four different types of molecular cloud environments (quiescent, low-mass young stellar objects (YSOs), intermediate-mass YSOs, and high-mass YSO weak processing) considered indicate the sputtering rate on the mantle ice composition depends on water composition to a certain extent. The model simulations indicate galactic cosmic ray(s) with an energy range from 10 MeV to 1 GeV are just capable of sputtering/destructing ∼13%–15% of the grain itself. This value, stretched over 1 Gyr is not as significant as the other destruction processes and therefore can be classified as a minor destruction process. The effect of galactic cosmic rays on the ice mantle and core is also noted with particular emphasis on amorphization/recoils generated inside the SiC core and their distribution within the grain.

Formation of Complex Organic Molecules (COMs) from Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): Implications for ISM IR Emission Plateaus and Solar System Organics

The presence of complex organic molecules (COMs) in a variety of solar system objects has prompted various theories regarding their origins. This paper reports on a series of proton, electron, and UV radiation experiments, conducted singly and in combination, on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) thin films to determine if PAH-related materials could be related to COMs. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and mass spectra reveal that the PAHs are fragmented and altered, producing new infrared features and a mass spectral pattern similar to those from small aliphatic and larger saturated hydrocarbon chain and ring systems. Mass spectra after proton and electron irradiation exhibit significant differences. The proton irradiation products appear to contain more oxygen-related species, possibly the result of higher H2O concentrations in the vacuum chamber, whereas electron irradiation generates a more abundant, larger mass organic species mass spectral pattern. Combined irradiation produces a superposition of the proton and electron results, with some subtle differences. Mass spectral patterns resulting from electron and combined irradiation compare favorably to Cassini ion neutral mass spectrometer (INMS) measurements of particles falling from Saturn’s inner rings into its upper atmosphere. FTIR results are compared to PAH emission from interstellar sources and absorption components in IR spectra observed toward low-mass young stellar objects (YSOs). Notably, some newly reported broad IR features appear very similar in structure to the plateaus underlying the astronomical 3.2−3.6, 6−9, and 10–15 μm emission plateaus and several of the absorption components found in spectra observed toward YSOs. The studies also indicate that the presence of other species, such as H2O, may significantly impact the radiation products. These results point to the fact that a top-down synthesis of solar system COMs is possible via irradiative processing of PAHs.

A Photoionized Accretion Disk around a Young High-mass Star

Abstract We present high spatial resolution (52 au) observations of the high-mass young stellar object (HMYSO) G345.4938+01.4677 made using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array. This O-type HMYSO is located at 2.38 kpc and is associated with a luminosity of 1.5 × 105 L ☉. We detect circumstellar emission from the H38β hydrogen recombination line showing a compact structure rotating perpendicularly to the previously detected radio jet. We interpret this emission as tracing a photoionized accretion disk around the HMYSO. While this disk-like structure seems currently too small to sustain continued accretion, the data present direct observational evidence of how disks can effectively survive the photoionization feedback from young high-mass stars. We also report the detection of a low-mass young stellar object in the vicinity of the HMYSO and suggest that it forms a high-mass and low-mass star binary system.