Multi-epoch infrared photometric study of the star-forming region G173.58+2.45

• Published in: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Vol. 359; no. 1; pp. 2 - 15
• Main Authors: Varricatt, Watson P., Davis, Christopher J., Adamson, Andrew J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01-05-2005; Blackwell Science
• Subjects: binaries: visual; circumstellar matter; infrared: stars; ISM: individual: G173.58+2.45; ISM: jets and outflows; stars: formation; binaries: visual; stars: formation; ISM: individual: G173.58+2.45; ISM: jets and outflows; circumstellar matter; infrared: stars; Photometric observation; Accretion; Periastron; Multiple stars; Stellar formation region; Variability; Young stellar object; Circumstellar matter; Visual binary stars; Infrared surveys; Star formation; Jets; Infrared star
• ISSN: 0035-8711; 1365-2966
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2005.08882.x

We present a multi-epoch infrared photometric study of the intermediate-mass star-forming region G173.58+2.45. Photometric observations are obtained using the near-infrared JHKL′M′ filters and narrow-band filters centred at the wavelengths of the H2 (1−0) S(1) (2.122 μm) and [Fe ii] (1.644 μm) lines. The H2 image shows molecular emission from shocked gas, implying the presence of multiple star formation and associated outflow activity. We see evidence for several collimated outflows. The most extended jet is at least 0.25 pc in length and has a collimation factor of ∼10, which may be associated with a binary system within the central cluster, resolved for the first time here. This outflow is found to be episodic, probably occurring or being enhanced during the periastron passage of the binary. We also find that the variable star in the vicinity of the outflow source, which was known as a FU Ori-type star, is probably not a FU Ori object. It does, however, drive a spectacular outflow, and the variability is likely to be related to accretion, when large clouds of gas and dust spiral in towards the central source. Many other convincing accretion–outflow systems and YSO candidates are discovered in the field.