ISO Mid-Infrared Spectra of Reflection Nebulae

Abstract

We present 5-15 micron imaging spectroscopy of the reflection nebulae vdB 17 (NGC 1333), vdB 59 (NGC 2068), vdB 101, vdB 111, vdB 133 and vdB 135, obtained with the infrared camera and circular variable filter wheel on the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO). These nebulae are illuminated by stars with Teff = 3,600-19,000 K, implying ultraviolet to total stellar flux ratios of F(< 400 nm)/F(tot) = 0.01-0.87. We detect the infrared emission features (IEFs) at 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, 11.3, and 12.7 microns, broad emission features at 6-9 microns and 11-13 microns, and 5-15 micron continuum emission, from the interstellar medium in vdB 17, vdB 59, and vdB 133 (F(< 400 nm)/F(tot) = 0.22-0.87), and place upper limits on the emission from the interstellar medium in vdB 101, vdB 111, and vdB 135 (F(< 400 nm)/F(tot) = 0.01-0.20). We observe no spectroscopic differences with varying Teff. We analyze the spectra of vdB 17 and vdB 59 as a function of distance from the star to see how the spectra depend on Go within each source. The only quantitative difference we find is a broadening of the 7.7 micron IEF at Go = 20-60 within vdB 17. We observe only a 40% change in the 6-10 micron to 10-14 micron flux ratio over Go = 20 to 60,000.