Absorption at 11μm in the interstellar medium and embedded sources: Evidence for crystalline silicates

Abstract

An absorption feature is occasionally reported around 11 μmin astronomical spectra, including those of forming stars. Candidate carriers include water ice, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, silicon carbide, crystalline silicates or even carbonates. All are known constituents of cosmic dust in one or more types of environments, though not necessarily together. In this paper, we present new ground-based 8-13 μm spectra of one evolved star, several embedded young stellar objects and a background source lying behind a large column of the interstellar medium (ISM) towards the Galactic Centre. Our observations, obtained at a spectral resolution of ~100, are compared with previous lower resolution data, as well as data obtained with the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) on these and other targets. By presenting a subset of a larger sample, our aim is to establish the reality of the feature and subsequently speculate on its carrier. All evidence points towards crystalline silicate. For instance, the 11 μm band profile is well matched with the emissivity of crystalline olivine. Furthermore, the apparent association of the absorption feature with a sharp polarization signature in the spectrum of two previously reported cases suggests a carrier with a relatively high band strength compared to amorphous silicates. If true, this would either set back the evolutionary stage in which silicates are crystallized, either to the embedded phase or even before within the ISM, or else the silicates ejected from the outflows of evolved stars retain some of their crystalline identity during their long residence in the ISM.