Spitzer Observations of IC 2118

TL;DR

This study uses Spitzer and optical observations to identify and analyze young stellar objects in the IC 2118 nebula, revealing new candidates and confirming infrared excesses in known T Tauri stars, primarily in the nebula's head region.

Contribution

First infrared survey of IC 2118 identifying new YSO candidates and confirming infrared excesses in known T Tauri stars.

Findings

Identified 6 new candidate YSOs, including one with an edge-on disk.

Confirmed infrared excesses in 4 of 6 known T Tauri stars.

Most YSOs are Class II objects located in the nebula's head.

Abstract

IC 2118, also known as the Witch Head Nebula, is a wispy, roughly cometary, ~5 degree long reflection nebula, and is thought to be a site of triggered star formation. In order to search for new young stellar objects (YSOs), we have observed this region in 7 mid- and far-infrared bands using the Spitzer Space Telescope and in 4 bands in the optical using the U. S. Naval Observatory 40-inch telescope. We find infrared excesses in 4 of the 6 previously-known T Tauri stars in our combined infrared maps, and we find 6 entirely new candidate YSOs, one of which may be an edge-on disk. Most of the YSOs seen in the infrared are Class II objects, and they are all in the "head" of the nebula, within the most massive molecular cloud of the region.