A Multiwavelength Study of the Young Stellar Object MWC 778

Physics – Optics

Scientific paper

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Scientific paper

MWC 778 is an unusual and little-studied young stellar object, previously classified as a Herbig Ae/Be star, located in the reflection nebula IC 2144. We present a study of this object based on optical imaging, high resolution (R=48000) optical spectroscopy, moderate resolution (R=2000) near-infrared spectroscopy, near-infrared adaptive optics imaging polarimetry, and mid-infrared imaging. The optical and near-infrared spectra of MWC 778 are dominated by an extensive forest of strong emission lines, primarily from H and Fe. However, the optical spectrum also reveals the presence of weak absorption features normally associated with F or G spectral types. The bolometric luminosity is found to be ≥ 510 L&sun;, surprisingly large for such a late spectral type. Differences between the spectrum of the object and the nebula in which it is embedded suggest the presence of a circumstellar disk inclined to the line of sight, a suggestion which our adaptive optics polarimetry and mid-infrared imaging observations directly and spectacularly confirm. These observations resolve the object into a large (1200 AU, for an assumed distance of 1 kpc) nearly edge-on disk and two limb-brightened conical outflow cavities. The imaging observations also reveal the presence of a large (12 arcsec diameter) spiral structure surrounding MWC 778. We discuss the properties of this object as revealed by our observations and speculate on its nature and evolutionary status.

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