Mid-Infrared Detection of a Hot Molecular Core in G29.96−0.02

We present high angular resolution (~0 5) 10 and 18 μm images of the region around G29.96-0.02 taken from the Gemini North Observatory 8 m telescope using the mid-infrared imager and spectrometer OSCIR. These observations were centered on the location of a group of water masers, which delineate the site of a hot molecular core believed to contain an extremely young massive star. We report here the direct detection of a hot molecular core at mid-infrared wavelengths at this location. The size and extent of the core at 18 μm appears to be very similar to the morphology as seen in integrated NH 3 maps. However, our observations indicate that the mid-infrared emission may not be exactly coincident with the NH 3 emission.