Near Infrared Spectroscopy of the Ultracompact HII region G45.12+0.13

Abstract

We present complete, low resolution IJHK spectroscopy of the ultracompact HII region, G45.12+0.13. From the observed HI line strengths, we derive a near infrared extinction law that is slightly steeper than the average. After correction with this extinction law, we find good agreement between the observed line ratios of HeI, Fe+, Fe++, S+ and S++ and the available atomic data. Our data show that the density within the core of G45.12+0.13 must be at least 10^4/cm^3. This is consistent with the known radio structure of the HII region and in considerable disagreement with previous work using mid and far infrared lines. There must also be considerable opacity in the HeI 2 3P-2 3S transition, and we show how the observed strengths of the other HeI lines are consistent with this. From modelling the photoionisation structure, we find good agreement with most of the observed data if the hottest star present has Teff < 42000K. Consideration of the helium ionisation state places a lower limit on this value so that we can also constrain Teff > 38000K. Discrepancies still exist between some of the observed and model line ratios, but the most obvious tend to be the mid-IR observations.