Spectral classification of the brightest objects in the galactic star forming region W40

TL;DR

This study uses near-infrared spectra and mid-IR imaging to classify the brightest stars in the W40 star-forming region, revealing their types, properties, and the cluster's distance, and providing insights into the region's stellar content and structure.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed spectral classifications and physical parameters for the brightest members of W40 using combined infrared observations, refining the cluster's distance and understanding of its stellar population.

Findings

Identified four main sequence OB stars, two Herbig Ae/Be stars, and two low-mass YSOs.

Estimated the cluster distance between 455 and 535 pc, consistent with previous estimates.

Suggested the late-O star is the main ionizing source and influences the surrounding bubble.

Abstract

We present high S/N, moderate resolution near-infrared spectra, as well as 10 micron imaging, for the brightest members of the central stellar cluster in the W40 HII region, obtained using the SpeX and MIRSI instruments at NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility. Using these observations combined with archival Spitzer Space Telescope data, we have determined the spectral classifications, extinction, distances, and spectral energy distributions for the brightest members of the cluster. Of the eight objects observed, we identify four main sequence (MS) OB stars, two Herbig Ae/Be stars, and two low-mass young stellar objects. Strong HeI absorption at 1.083 micron in the MS star spectra strongly suggests that at least some of these sources are in fact close binaries. Two out of the four MS stars also show significant infrared excesses typical of circumstellar disks. Extinctions and distances were determined for each MS star by fitting model stellar atmospheres to the SEDs. We estimate a distance to the cluster of between 455 and 535 pc, which agrees well with earlier (but far less precise) distance estimates. We conclude that the late-O star we identify is the dominant source of LyC luminosity needed to power the W40 HII region and is the likely source of the stellar wind that has blown a large (~4 pc) pinched-waist bubble observed in wide field mid-IR images. We also suggest that 3.6 cm radio emission observed from some of the sources in the cluster is likely not due to emission from ultra-compact HII regions, as suggested in other work, due to size constraints based on our derived distance to the cluster. Finally, we also present a discussion of the curious source IRS 3A, which has a very strong mid-IR excess (despite its B3 MS classification) and appears to be embedded in a dusty envelope roughly 2700 AU in size.