ISOCAM images of the `elephant trunks' in M16
G. L. Pilbratt, B. Altieri, J. A. D. L. Blommaert, C. V. M. Fridlund, J. A. Tauber, M. F. Kessler;
AaA, 1998, 333, L9
ABSTRACT:We have used ISOCAM to obtain images of the `elephant trunks' in the M16 `Eagle nebula' in the two broadband filters LW2 (5-8.5mu m) and LW3 (12-18mu
m).
These pillars are clearly seen in both our filters, their emission has a
colour temperature in the range 250-320K.
We have also detected bright
extended emission in the LW3 filter, in an area outside the `elephant trunks',
and with no LW2 counterpart.
We report the detection of a deeply embedded
source, presumably connected with M16-E31, which we identify as a
YSO.
However, to our levels of angular resolution and sensitivity we cannot, in
general, correlate discrete sources with the EGGs discovered by the HST.
Our
observations are consistent with a relatively low level of ongoing low-mass star
formation, a fact which may be related to disk disruption taking place at early
times in M16.
Based on observations with ISO, an ESA project with
instruments funded by ESA Member States (especially the PI countries: France,
Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom) with the participation of ISAS
and NASA.
KEYWORDS: stars: formation, ism: clouds, ism: individual objects: m16, infrared: ism: continuum
CODE: pilbratt98