Massive young stellar objects in the N 66/NGC 346 region of the SMC

Abstract

We present HK spectra of three sources located in the N 66 region of the Small Magellanic Cloud. The sources display prominent stellar Brγ and extended H₂ emission, and exhibit infrared excesses at λ > 2 μm. Based on their spectral features, and photometric spectral energy distributions, we suggest that these sources are massive young stellar objects. The findings are interpreted as evidence of on-going high mass star formation in N 66.

Based on observations collected at the European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere under ESO programme 063.C-0329(A) and 072.C-0466(A).