Search

Context. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy and imaging provide a prime tool to study the characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules and the mineralogy in regions of star formation. Herbig Ae/Be stars are known to have varying amounts of natal cloud material present in their vicinity.Aims. Our aim is to study the characteristics of the mid-IR emission originating in Herbig Ae/Be stars, especially the extent of the emission and how this relates to the (proto-) stellar characteristics.Methods. Today's powerful ground-and space-based telescopes provide images and spectra at unprecedented spectral and spatial resolution. We analyse the images and spectra from four Herbig Ae/Be stars (IRAS 06084-0611, CD-42 11721, TY CrA, and HD176386), as obtained with TIMMI2 on the ESO 3.6 m telescope and VISIR on the VLT. These observations are supplemented with data from ISO-SWS and Spitzer-IRAC.Results. We find evidence for large-scale structure and extended emission in all four sources, except for HD176386, which only shows silicate emission, all sources show PAH emission in their spectra. In addition, a spatially resolved silicate and PAH spectrum could be extracted for TY CrA.Conclusions. The variety in emission scales distinguishes two classes. In the first, the morphology and spectral characteristics resemble those of reflection nebulae. In the second, the characteristics are in-line with Herbig A stars. This separation simply reflects a difference in stellar characteristics (e. g. luminosity). In Herbig B stars, dust emission from the surroundings dominates, where for Herbig A stars, the disk dominates the emission. In this scheme, IRAS 06084-0611 and CD-42 11721 resemble reflection nebulae and HD176386 a more typical Herbig Ae/Be star. TY CrA shows characteristics common to both genuine reflection nebulae and Herbig B stars. We propose a geometry for TY CrA, with most notably, a similar to 70 AU inner gap in the 340 AU circumtertiary disk cleared by a fourth stellar companion.

We present spectra for a sample of 14 FUors and two T Tauri stars observed with Spitzer or ISO. Based on the appearance of the 10 mu m silicate feature, we define two categories of FUors. Objects showing the silicate feature in absorption (Category 1) are still embedded in a circumstellar envelope. The shape of the silicate bands is in good agreement with typical dust compositions of the ISM. Only one object appears too rich in amorphous pyroxene dust, but a superposed emission feature can explain the observed shape. We derive optical depths and extinction values from the silicate and additional ice bands. Particularly, the analysis of the CO2 ice band at 15.2 mu m allows us to search for evidence for ice processing and to constrain whether the absorbing material is physically linked to the central object. For objects showing the silicate band in emission (Category 2), we argue that the feature comes from the surface layer of accretion disks. We find evidence that grain growth has already taken place within the disks, but no clear indications for crystallization are present. We discuss how these observations fit into the picture of a young and active accretion disk. Finally, a framework is proposed how the two categories of FUors can be understood in a general paradigm of the evolution of young, low-mass stars. As one object (Parsamian 21) shows PAH emission features typical for evolved stars, we question its status as a FUor. Additionally, two spectra (RNO 1B and L1551 IRS 5) show [ Fe II] emission lines that are attributed to hot, dense, or shocked material related to outflows.

We present spectra for a sample of 14 FUors and two T Tauri stars observed with Spitzer or ISO. Based on the appearance of the 10 mu m silicate feature, we define two categories of FUors. Objects showing the silicate feature in absorption (Category 1) are still embedded in a circumstellar envelope. The shape of the silicate bands is in good agreement with typical dust compositions of the ISM. Only one object appears too rich in amorphous pyroxene dust, but a superposed emission feature can explain the observed shape. We derive optical depths and extinction values from the silicate and additional ice bands. Particularly, the analysis of the CO2 ice band at 15.2 mu m allows us to search for evidence for ice processing and to constrain whether the absorbing material is physically linked to the central object. For objects showing the silicate band in emission (Category 2), we argue that the feature comes from the surface layer of accretion disks. We find evidence that grain growth has already taken place within the disks, but no clear indications for crystallization are present. We discuss how these observations fit into the picture of a young and active accretion disk. Finally, a framework is proposed how the two categories of FUors can be understood in a general paradigm of the evolution of young, low-mass stars. As one object (Parsamian 21) shows PAH emission features typical for evolved stars, we question its status as a FUor. Additionally, two spectra (RNO 1B and L1551 IRS 5) show [ Fe II] emission lines that are attributed to hot, dense, or shocked material related to outflows.

Infrared (IR) emission features at 3.3, 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, and 11.3 mum are generally attributed to IR fluorescence from ( mainly) far-ultraviolet (FUV) pumped large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules. As such, these features trace the FUV stellar flux and are thus a measure of star formation. We examined the IR spectral characteristics of Galactic massive star-forming regions and of normal and starburst galaxies, as well as active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs). The goal of this study is to analyze whether PAH features are a good qualitative and/or quantitative tracer of star formation, and hence to evaluate the application of PAH emission as a diagnostic tool in order to identify the dominant processes contributing to the infrared emission from Seyfert galaxies and ULIRGs. We develop a new mid-infrared (MIR)/far-infrared ( FIR) diagnostic diagram based on our Galactic sample and compare it to the diagnostic tools of Genzel and coworkers and Laurent and coworkers, with these diagnostic tools also applied to our Galactic sample. This MIR/FIR diagnostic is derived from the FIR normalized 6.2 mum PAH flux and the FIR normalized 6.2 mum continuum flux. Within this diagram, the Galactic sources form a sequence spanning a range of 3 orders of magnitude in these ratios, ranging from embedded compact H II regions to exposed photodissociation regions (PDRs) and the ( diffuse) interstellar medium ( ISM). However, the variation in the 6.2 mum PAH feature - to - continuum ratio is relative small. Comparison of our extragalactic sample with our Galactic sources revealed an excellent resemblance of normal and starburst galaxies to exposed PDRs. While Seyfert 2 galaxies coincide with the starburst trend, Seyfert 1 galaxies are displaced by at least a factor of 10 in 6.2 mum continuum flux, in accordance with general orientation-dependent unification schemes for AGNs. ULIRGs show a diverse spectral appearance. Some show a typical AGN hot dust continuum. More, however, either are starburst-like or show signs of strong dust obscuration in the nucleus. One characteristic of the ULIRGs also seems to be the presence of more prominent FIR emission than either starburst galaxies or AGNs. We discuss the observed variation in the Galactic sample in view of the evolutionary state and the PAH/dust abundance and discuss the use of PAHs as quantitative tracers of star formation activity. Based on these investigations, we find that PAHs may be better suited as a tracer of B stars, which dominate the Galactic stellar energy budget, than as a tracer of massive star formation (O stars).

Infrared (IR) emission features at 3.3, 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, and 11.3 mum are generally attributed to IR fluorescence from ( mainly) far-ultraviolet (FUV) pumped large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules. As such, these features trace the FUV stellar flux and are thus a measure of star formation. We examined the IR spectral characteristics of Galactic massive star-forming regions and of normal and starburst galaxies, as well as active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs). The goal of this study is to analyze whether PAH features are a good qualitative and/or quantitative tracer of star formation, and hence to evaluate the application of PAH emission as a diagnostic tool in order to identify the dominant processes contributing to the infrared emission from Seyfert galaxies and ULIRGs. We develop a new mid-infrared (MIR)/far-infrared ( FIR) diagnostic diagram based on our Galactic sample and compare it to the diagnostic tools of Genzel and coworkers and Laurent and coworkers, with these diagnostic tools also applied to our Galactic sample. This MIR/FIR diagnostic is derived from the FIR normalized 6.2 mum PAH flux and the FIR normalized 6.2 mum continuum flux. Within this diagram, the Galactic sources form a sequence spanning a range of 3 orders of magnitude in these ratios, ranging from embedded compact H II regions to exposed photodissociation regions (PDRs) and the ( diffuse) interstellar medium ( ISM). However, the variation in the 6.2 mum PAH feature - to - continuum ratio is relative small. Comparison of our extragalactic sample with our Galactic sources revealed an excellent resemblance of normal and starburst galaxies to exposed PDRs. While Seyfert 2 galaxies coincide with the starburst trend, Seyfert 1 galaxies are displaced by at least a factor of 10 in 6.2 mum continuum flux, in accordance with general orientation-dependent unification schemes for AGNs. ULIRGs show a diverse spectral appearance. Some show a typical AGN hot dust continuum. More, however, either are starburst-like or show signs of strong dust obscuration in the nucleus. One characteristic of the ULIRGs also seems to be the presence of more prominent FIR emission than either starburst galaxies or AGNs. We discuss the observed variation in the Galactic sample in view of the evolutionary state and the PAH/dust abundance and discuss the use of PAHs as quantitative tracers of star formation activity. Based on these investigations, we find that PAHs may be better suited as a tracer of B stars, which dominate the Galactic stellar energy budget, than as a tracer of massive star formation (O stars).

We present a systematic study of the effect of metallicity on the stellar spectral energy distribution (SED) of 0 main sequence (dwarf) stars, focussing on the hydrogen and helium ionizing continua, and on the optical and near-IR lines used for spectral classification. The spectra are based on non-LTE line blanketed atmosphere models with stellar winds calculated using the CMFGEN code of Hillier & Miller (1998). We draw the following conclusions. First, we find that the total number of Lyman photons emitted is almost independent of line blanketing effects and metallicity for a given effective temperature. This is because the flux that is blocked by the forest of metal lines at lambda

We present observations of the 4.8 and 8.6 GHz continuum emission towards 11 southern H II regions made with the Australian Telescope Compact Array. The observed objects were selected from the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) spectral catalogue of compact H II regions (Peeters et al. 2002b). The morphologies observed for practically all the sources are consistent with them being ionized by a cluster of stars, rather than by a single star. The linear diameters of the regions range from 0.03 pc to 3 pc, the electron densities from 300 to 2.5x10(4) cm(-3), and the Lyman continuum photon flux from 10(47) to 10(50) s(-1). We confirm the existence of a relation between the density and size of H II regions which can be fit by a power law shallower than that predicted by the classic Stromgren theory. The radio observations provide, in addition, information about the distribution of the ionized gas within the ISO apertures. As a result of the combined radio and infrared study, estimates of the extinction in the infrared and the metal content of the nebular gas were calculated. In this analysis, we also included several (ultra) compact H II regions previously observed by the Very Large Array. Values for extinction in the K-band between similar to0 and 6 mag are found. The elemental abundances of nitrogen, neon, argon and sulphur were found to decrease with Galactocentric distance. Finally, the degree of ionization of the nebulae is confirmed to be correlated with the metal content.

A high quality, medium-resolution K-band spectrum has been obtained of the ultracompact HII region G29.96-0.02 with the Very Large Telescope (VLT). The slit was positioned along the symmetry axis of the cometary shaped nebula. Besides the spectrum of the embedded ionizing O star, the long-slit observation revealed the rich emission-line spectrum produced by the ionized nebula with sub-arcsec spatial resolution. The nebular spectrum includes Br$\gamma$, several helium emission lines and a molecular hydrogen line. A detailed analysis is presented of the variation in strength, velocity and width of the nebular emission lines along the slit. The results are consistent with previous observations, but the much better spatial resolution allows a critical evaluation of models explaining the cometary shape of the nebula. Our observations support neither the wind bow shock model nor the champagne flow model. The measured line ratios of the nebular hydrogen and helium lines are compared to predictions from case B recombination-line theory. The results indicate an electron temperature between 6400 and 7500 K, in good agreement with other determinations and the Galactocentric distance of 4.6 kpc. The He$^{+}$/H$^{+}$ ratio is practically constant over the slit; we argue that He is singly ionized throughout the nebula. We review the various observational constraints on the effective temperature of the ionizing star and show that these are in agreement with its K-band spectral type of O5-O6V., Comment: 15 pages including 11 figures and 2 tables, LaTex, A&A style. Accepted for publication in A&A

IR spectroscopy provides a valuable tool for the characterisation and identification of interstellar molecular species. Here, we present 6-9 mum spectra of a sample of reflection nebulae, HII regions, YSOs, evolved stars and galaxies that show strong unidentified infrared bands, obtained with the SWS spectrograph on board ISO. The IR emission features in this wavelength region show pronounced variations. 1) The 6.2 mum feature shifts from 6.22 to 6.3 mum and clearly shows profile variations. 2) The 7.7 mum complex is comprised of at least two subpeaks peaking at 7.6 and one longwards of 7.7 mum. In some cases the main peak can apparently shift up to 8 mum. Two sources do not exhibit a 7.7 mum complex but instead show a broad emission feature at 8.22 mum. 3) The 8.6 mum feature has a symmetric profile in all sources and some sources exhibit this band at slightly longer wavelengths. For the 6.2, 7.7 and 8.6 mum features, the sources have been classified independently based on their profile and peak position. The classes derived for these features are directly linked with each other. Sources with a 6.2 mum feature peaking at similar to6.22 mum exhibit a 7.7 mum complex dominated by the 7.6 mum component. In contrast, sources with a 6.2 mum profile peaking longwards of 6.24 mum show a 7.7 mum complex with a dominant peak longwards of 7.7 mum and a 8.6 mum feature shifted toward the red. Furthermore, the observed 6-9 mum spectrum depends on the type of object. All ISM-like sources and a few PNe and Post-AGB stars belong to the first group while isolated Herbig AeBe stars, a few Post-AGB stars and most PNe belong to the second group. We summarise existing laboratory data and theoretical quantum chemical calculations of the modes emitting in this wavelength region of PAH molecules. We discuss the variations in peak position and profile in view of the exact nature of the carrier. We attribute the observed 6.2 mum profile and peak position to the combined effect of a PAH family and anharmonicity with pure PAHs representing the 6.3 mum component and substituted/complexed PAHs representing the 6.2 mum component. The 7.6 mum component is well reproduced by both pure and substituted/complexed PAHs but the 7.8 mum component remains an enigma. In addition, the exact identification of the 8.22 mum feature remains unknown. The observed variations in the characteristics of the IR emission bands are linked to the local physical conditions. Possible formation and evolution processes that may influence the interstellar PAH class are highlighted.

IR spectroscopy provides a valuable tool for the characterisation and identification of interstellar molecular species. Here, we present 6-9 mum spectra of a sample of reflection nebulae, HII regions, YSOs, evolved stars and galaxies that show strong unidentified infrared bands, obtained with the SWS spectrograph on board ISO. The IR emission features in this wavelength region show pronounced variations. 1) The 6.2 mum feature shifts from 6.22 to 6.3 mum and clearly shows profile variations. 2) The 7.7 mum complex is comprised of at least two subpeaks peaking at 7.6 and one longwards of 7.7 mum. In some cases the main peak can apparently shift up to 8 mum. Two sources do not exhibit a 7.7 mum complex but instead show a broad emission feature at 8.22 mum. 3) The 8.6 mum feature has a symmetric profile in all sources and some sources exhibit this band at slightly longer wavelengths. For the 6.2, 7.7 and 8.6 mum features, the sources have been classified independently based on their profile and peak position. The classes derived for these features are directly linked with each other. Sources with a 6.2 mum feature peaking at similar to6.22 mum exhibit a 7.7 mum complex dominated by the 7.6 mum component. In contrast, sources with a 6.2 mum profile peaking longwards of 6.24 mum show a 7.7 mum complex with a dominant peak longwards of 7.7 mum and a 8.6 mum feature shifted toward the red. Furthermore, the observed 6-9 mum spectrum depends on the type of object. All ISM-like sources and a few PNe and Post-AGB stars belong to the first group while isolated Herbig AeBe stars, a few Post-AGB stars and most PNe belong to the second group. We summarise existing laboratory data and theoretical quantum chemical calculations of the modes emitting in this wavelength region of PAH molecules. We discuss the variations in peak position and profile in view of the exact nature of the carrier. We attribute the observed 6.2 mum profile and peak position to the combined effect of a PAH family and anharmonicity with pure PAHs representing the 6.3 mum component and substituted/complexed PAHs representing the 6.2 mum component. The 7.6 mum component is well reproduced by both pure and substituted/complexed PAHs but the 7.8 mum component remains an enigma. In addition, the exact identification of the 8.22 mum feature remains unknown. The observed variations in the characteristics of the IR emission bands are linked to the local physical conditions. Possible formation and evolution processes that may influence the interstellar PAH class are highlighted.

We have obtained 2.5-45 mu m spectra of a sample of compact H II regions, YSOs and evolved stars in order to study the origin and evolution of interstellar Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon molecules (PAHs). Besides the well-known, strong PAH bands at 3.3, 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, and 11.2 mu m, these spectra reveal for the first time, a ubiquitous emission plateau from 15 to 20 mu m While the overall shape of this plateau is very similar in all sources, the detailed profiles vary from source to source. In particular, some sources show a distinct emission feature at 16.4 mu m. Moreover, the integrated intensity of this plateau varies relative to the PAH emission features by a factor 10 in our sample.We attribute this 15-20 mu m plateau to a blend of many emission features due to the interstellar or circumstellar PAH family present in these sources. Laboratory studies and quantum chemical calculations show that PAH molecules invariably possess emission features in this wavelength region, arising from C-CC bending modes which cause in- and out-of-plane distortion of the carbon skeleton. These modes are very sensitive to the molecular structure of the specific PAHs present and hence different molecules emit at different wavelengths. Analysis of the available data on the IR characteristics of PAHs show that a collection of PAHs will give rise to a broad plateau in this region.We have analyzed the size distribution of PAHs giving rise to the IR emission spectra of the sources in our samples. While much of the 15-20 mu m plateau is thought to arise in relatively large PAHs and PAH clusters, we attribute the 16.4 mu m feature to the small end of the interstellar PAH size distribution. We conclude that the observed increased strength of the 15-20 mu m plateau relative to the shorter wavelength IR emission features in regions of massive star formation is caused by a preponderance of larger PAHs and PAH clusters in those sources. Possibly this reflects the importance of coagulation in the dense molecular cloud environment from which these stars are formed.

We have obtained 2.5-45 mu m spectra of a sample of compact H II regions, YSOs and evolved stars in order to study the origin and evolution of interstellar Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon molecules (PAHs). Besides the well-known, strong PAH bands at 3.3, 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, and 11.2 mu m, these spectra reveal for the first time, a ubiquitous emission plateau from 15 to 20 mu m While the overall shape of this plateau is very similar in all sources, the detailed profiles vary from source to source. In particular, some sources show a distinct emission feature at 16.4 mu m. Moreover, the integrated intensity of this plateau varies relative to the PAH emission features by a factor 10 in our sample. We attribute this 15-20 mu m plateau to a blend of many emission features due to the interstellar or circumstellar PAH family present in these sources. Laboratory studies and quantum chemical calculations show that PAH molecules invariably possess emission features in this wavelength region, arising from C-CC bending modes which cause in- and out-of-plane distortion of the carbon skeleton. These modes are very sensitive to the molecular structure of the specific PAHs present and hence different molecules emit at different wavelengths. Analysis of the available data on the IR characteristics of PAHs show that a collection of PAHs will give rise to a broad plateau in this region. We have analyzed the size distribution of PAHs giving rise to the IR emission spectra of the sources in our samples. While much of the 15-20 mu m plateau is thought to arise in relatively large PAHs and PAH clusters, we attribute the 16.4 mu m feature to the small end of the interstellar PAH size distribution. We conclude that the observed increased strength of the 15-20 mu m plateau relative to the shorter wavelength IR emission features in regions of massive star formation is caused by a preponderance of larger PAHs and PAH clusters in those sources. Possibly this reflects the importance of coagulation in the dense molecular cloud environment from which these stars are formed.

ISO has shown that the mid-IR spectra of almost all sources are dominated by narrow emission features collectively known as the UIR bands. These bands are carried by a family of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecules containing about 60 C-atoms. Other classes of molecules such as C-chains as well as non-aromatic groups attached to the PAHs are much less abundant. ISO has revealed that the UIR spectrum is incredibly rich with a large number of weaker features, subfeatures, and shoulders; many of which were not known before. Some examples and the new insights they can provide are described. A systematic study of this spectral structure may well allow us to considerably narrow down the composition of the family of PAHs responsible for the observed emission.

International audience; Although planets are being discovered around stars more massive than the Sun, information about the proto-planetary disks where such planets have built up is sparse. We have imaged mid-infrared emission from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at the surface of the disk surrounding the young intermediate-mass star HD 97048 and characterized the disk. The disk is in an early stage of evolution, as indicated by its large content of dust and its hydrostatic flared geometry, indicative of the presence of a large amount of gas that is well mixed with dust and gravitationally stable. The disk is a precursor of debris disks found around more-evolved A stars such as β-Pictoris and provides the rare opportunity to witness the conditions prevailing before (or during) planet formation.

Astronomy and Astrophysics 553 (2013): A5 reproduced with permission from Astronomy and Astrophysics, Context. We have analysed far-infrared spectra of 32 circumstellar disks around Herbig Ae/Be and T Tauri stars obtained within the Herschel key programme Dust, Ice and Gas in Time (DIGIT). The spectra were taken with the Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer (PACS) on board the Herschel Space Observatory. In this paper we focus on the detection and analysis of the 69 μm emission band of the crystalline silicate forsterite. Aims. This work aims at providing an overview of the 69 μm forsterite bands present in the DIGIT sample. We use characteristics of the emission band (peak position and FWHM) to derive the dust temperature and to constrain the iron content of the crystalline silicates. With this information, constraints can be placed on the spatial distribution of the forsterite in the disk and the formation history of the crystalline grains. Methods. The 69 μm forsterite emission feature is analysed in terms of position and shape to derive the temperature and composition of the dust by comparison to laboratory spectra of that band. The PACS spectra are combined with existing Spitzer IRS spectra and we compare the presence and strength of the 69 μm band to the forsterite bands at shorter wavelengths. Results. A total of 32 disk sources have been observed. Out of these 32, 8 sources show a 69 μm emission feature that can be attributed to forsterite. With the exception of the T Tauri star AS 205, all of the detections are for disks associated with Herbig Ae/Be stars. Most of the forsterite grains that give rise to the 69 μm bands are found to be warm (∼100-200 K) and iron-poor (less than ∼2% iron). AB Aur is the only source where the emission cannot be fitted with iron-free forsterite requiring approximately 3-4% of iron. Conclusions. Our findings support the hypothesis that the forsterite grains form through an equilibrium condensation process at high temperatures. The large width of the emission band in some sources may indicate the presence of forsterite reservoirs at different temperatures. The connection between the strength of the 69 and 33 μm bands shows that at least part of the emission in these two bands originates fom the same dust grains. We further find that any model that can explain the PACS and the Spitzer IRS observations must take the effects of a wavelength dependent optical depth into account. We find weak indications of a correlation of the detection rate of the 69 μm band with the spectral type of the host stars in our sample. However, the sample size is too small to obtain a definitive result

Context. Infrared ( IR) spectra provide a prime tool to study the characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon ( PAH) molecules in regions of star formation. Herbig Ae/Be stars are a class of young pre-main sequence stellar objects of intermediate mass. They are known to have varying amounts of natal cloud material still present in their direct vicinity.Aims. We characterise the IR emission bands, due to fluorescence by PAH molecules, in the spectra of Herbig Ae/Be stars and link observed variations to spatial aspects of the mid-IR emission.Methods. We analysed two PAH dominated spectra from a sample of 15 Herbig Ae/Be stars observed with the Spitzer Space Telescope.Results. We derived profiles of the major PAH bands by subtracting appropriate continua. The shape and the measured band characteristics show pronounced variations between the two Spitzer spectra investigated. Those variations parallel those found between three infrared space observatory (ISO) spectra of other, well-studied, Herbig Ae/Be stars. The derived profiles are compared to those from a broad sample of sources, including reflection nebulae, planetary nebulae, H II regions, young stellar objects, evolved stars and galaxies. The Spitzer and ISO spectra exhibit characteristics commonly interpreted respectively as interstellar matter-like ( ISM), non-ISM-like, or a combination of the two.Conclusions. We argue that the PAH emission detected from the sources exhibiting a combination of ISM-like and non-ISM-like characteristics indicates the presence of two dissimilar, spatially separated, PAH families. As the shape of the individual PAH band profiles reflects the composition of the PAH molecules involved, this demonstrates that PAHs in subsequent, evolutionary linked stages of star formation are different from those in the general ISM, implying active chemistry. None of the detected PAH emission can be associated with the ( unresolved) disk and is thus associated with the circumstellar ( natal) cloud. This implies that chemical changes may already occur in the ( collapsing?) natal cloud and not necessarily in the disk.

(abridged) We present spectroscopy data for a sample of 14 FUors and 2 TTauri stars observed with the Spitzer Space Telescope or with the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO). Based on the appearance of the 10 micron silicate feature we define 2 categories of FUors. Objects showing the silicate feature in absorption (Category 1) are still embedded in a dusty and icy envelope. The shape of the 10 micron silicate absorption bands is compared to typical dust compositions of the interstellar medium and found to be in general agreement. Only one object (RNO 1B) appears to be too rich in amorphous pyroxene dust, but a superposed emission feature can explain the observed shape. We derive optical depths and extinction values from the silicate band and additional ice bands at 6.0, 6.8 and 15.2 micron. In particular the analysis of the CO_2 ice band at 15.2 micron allows us to search for evidence for ice processing and constrains whether the absorbing material is physically linked to the central object or in the foreground. For objects showing the silicate feature in emission (Category 2), we argue that the emission comes from the surface layer of accretion disks. Analyzing the dust composition reveals that significant grain growth has already taken place within the accretion disks, but no clear indications for crystallization are present. We discuss how these observational results can be explained in the picture of a young, and highly active accretion disk. Finally, a framework is proposed as to how the two categories of FUors can be understood in a general paradigm of the evolution of young, low-mass stars. Only one object (Parsamian 21) shows PAH emission features. Their shapes, however, are often seen toward evolved stars and we question the object's status as a FUor and discuss other possible classifications., Comment: accepted for publication in ApJ; 63 pages preprint style including 8 tables and 24 figures

We present a systematic study of the effect of metallicity on the stellar spectral energy distribution (SED) of O main sequence (dwarf) stars, focussing on the hydrogen and helium ionizing continua, and on the optical and near-IR lines used for spectral classification. The spectra are based on non-LTE line blanketed atmosphere models with stellar winds calculated using the CMFGEN code of Hillier & Miller (1998). We draw the following conclusions. First, we find that the total number of Lyman photons emitted is almost independent of line blanketing effects and metallicity for a given effective temperature. This is because the flux that is blocked by the forest of metal lines at wavelengths shorter than 600 Angstrom is redistributed mainly within the Lyman continuum. Second, the spectral type, as defined by the ratio of the equivalent widths of HeI 4471 Angstrom and HeII 4542 Angstrom, is shown to depend noticeably on the microturbulent velocity in the atmosphere, on metallicity and, within the luminosity class of dwarfs, on gravity. Third, we confirm the decrease in the effective temperature for a given spectral type due to the inclusion of line blanketing recently found by e.g. Martins et al. (2002). Finally, we find that the SED below ~450 Angstrom is highly dependent on metallicity. This is reflected in the behaviour of nebular fine-structure line ratios such as [NeIII]/[NeII] 15.5/12.8 and [ArIII]/[ArII] 9.0/7.0 micron. This dependence complicates the use of these nebular ratios as diagnostic tools for the effective temperature determination of the ionizing stars in HII regions and for age dating of starburst regions in galaxies., 16 pages, 11 figures, accepted by A&A

Astronomy and Astrophysics, v. 423, p. 537-548, 2004. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20047178; International audience; We present the first long baseline mid-infrared interferometric observations of the circumstellar disks surrounding Herbig Ae/Be stars. The observations were obtained using the mid-infrared interferometric instrument MIDI at the EuropeanSouthern Observatory (ESO) Very Large Telescope Interferometer VLTI on Cerro Paranal. The 102 m baseline given by thetelescopes UT1 and UT3 was employed, which provides a maximum full spatial resolution of 20 milli-arcsec (mas) at a wave-length of 10 µm. The interferometric signal was spectrally dispersed at a resolution of 30, giving spectrally resolved visibility information from 8 µm to 13.5 µm. We observed seven nearby Herbig Ae/Be stars and resolved all objects. The warm dust disk of HD 100546 could even be resolved in single-telescope imaging. Characteristic dimensions of the emitting regions at 10 µm are found to be from 1 AU to 10 AU. The 10 µm sizes of our sample stars correlate with the slope of the 10–25 µm infrared spectrum in the sense that the reddest objects are the largest ones. Such a correlation would be consistent with a different geometry in terms of flaring or flat (self-shadowed) disks for sources with strong or moderate mid-infrared excess, respectively. We compare the observed spectrally resolved visibilities with predictions based on existing models of passive centrally irradiated hydrostatic disks made to fit the SEDs of the observed stars. We find broad qualitative agreement of the spectral shape of visibilities corresponding to these models with our observations. Quantitatively, there are discrepancies that show the need for a next step in modelling of circumstellar disks, satisfying both the spatial constraints such as are now available from the MIDI observations and the flux constraints from the SEDs in a consistent way.

We have re-analyzed the 6-12 micron ISO spectrum of the ultra-luminous infrared galaxy Arp220 with the conclusion that it is not consistent with that of a scaled up version of a typical starburst. Instead, both template fitting with spectra of the galaxies NGC4418 and M83 and with dust models suggest that it is best represented by combinations of a typical starburst component, exhibiting PAH emission features, and a heavily absorbed dust continuum which contributes ~40% of the 6-12 micron flux and likely dominates the luminosity. Of particular significance relative to previous studies of Arp220 is the fact that the emission feature at 7.7 micron comprises both PAH emission and a broader component resulting from ice and silicate absorption against a heavily absorbed continuum. Extinction to the PAH emitting source, however, appears to be relatively low. We tentatively associate the PAH emitting and heavily dust/ice absorbed components with the diffuse emission region and the two compact nuclei respectively identified by Soifer et al. (2002) in their higher spatial resolution 10 micron study. Both the similarity of the absorbed continuum with that of the embedded Galactic protostars and results of the dust models imply that the embedded source(s) in Arp220 could be powered by, albeit extremely dense, starburst activity. Due to the high extinction, it is not possible with the available data to exclude that AGN(s) also contribute some or all of the observed luminosity. In this case, however, the upper limit measured for its hard X-ray emission would require Arp220 to be the most highly obscured AGN known., Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures. Accepted for publication in A&A. Also available at http://www.astro.rug.nl/~spoon/publications.html

We have obtained 2.5-45 mu m spectra of a sample of compact H II regions, YSOs and evolved stars in order to study the origin and evolution of interstellar Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon molecules (PAHs). Besides the well-known, strong PAH bands at 3.3, 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, and 11.2 mu m, these spectra reveal for the first time, a ubiquitous emission plateau from 15 to 20 mu m While the overall shape of this plateau is very similar in all sources, the detailed profiles vary from source to source. In particular, some sources show a distinct emission feature at 16.4 mu m. Moreover, the integrated intensity of this plateau varies relative to the PAH emission features by a factor 10 in our sample. We attribute this 15-20 mu m plateau to a blend of many emission features due to the interstellar or circumstellar PAH family present in these sources. Laboratory studies and quantum chemical calculations show that PAH molecules invariably possess emission features in this wavelength region, arising from C-CC bending modes which cause in- and out-of-plane distortion of the carbon skeleton. These modes are very sensitive to the molecular structure of the specific PAHs present and hence different molecules emit at different wavelengths. Analysis of the available data on the IR characteristics of PAHs show that a collection of PAHs will give rise to a broad plateau in this region. We have analyzed the size distribution of PAHs giving rise to the IR emission spectra of the sources in our samples. While much of the 15-20 mu m plateau is thought to arise in relatively large PAHs and PAH clusters, we attribute the 16.4 mu m feature to the small end of the interstellar PAH size distribution. We conclude that the observed increased strength of the 15-20 mu m plateau relative to the shorter wavelength IR emission features in regions of massive star formation is caused by a preponderance of larger PAHs and PAH clusters in those sources. Possibly this reflects the importance of coagulation in the dense molecular cloud environment from which these stars are formed.

ISO has shown that the mid-IR spectra of almost all sources are dominated by narrow emission features collectively known as the UIR bands. These bands are carried by a family of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecules containing about 60 C-atoms. Other classes of molecules such as C-chains as well as non-aromatic groups attached to the PAHs are much less abundant. ISO has revealed that the UIR spectrum is incredibly rich with a large number of weaker features, subfeatures, and shoulders; many of which were not known before. Some examples and the new insights they can provide are described. A systematic study of this spectral structure may well allow us to considerably narrow down the composition of the family of PAHs responsible for the observed emission.

ISO has shown that the mid-IR spectra of almost all sources are dominated by narrow emission features collectively known as the UIR bands. These bands are carried by a family of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecules containing about 60 C-atoms. Other classes of molecules such as C-chains as well as non-aromatic groups attached to the PAHs are much less abundant. ISO has revealed that the UIR spectrum is incredibly rich with a large number of weaker features, subfeatures, and shoulders; many of which were not known before. Some examples and the new insights they can provide are described. A systematic study of this spectral structure may well allow us to considerably narrow down the composition of the family of PAHs responsible for the observed emission.