The prominent dust emission feature near 8.9 mu m in four HII regions

We present a mid-infrared study of four H II regions based on the combination of Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) SWS observations with spatial information from SpectroCam-10 images and long-slit spectra. We report a prominent broad emission feature near 8.9 mum. The peak position and width of this feature do not resemble known polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon ( PAH) or dust emission features. Its spatial distribution is analyzed for two H II regions and is clearly distinct from that of the PAH emission features, being more similar to that of the ionized gas and especially to the spatial distribution of the dust continuum at 15 mum. Thus, the carrier of this band likely resides within the H II region. Possible carriers of this feature are highlighted.