We report the detection of a broad 22 microns emission feature in the Carina
nebula H II region by the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) Short Wavelength
Spectrometer. The feature shape is similar to that of the 22 microns emission
feature of newly synthesized dust observed in the Cassiopeia A supernova
remnant. This finding suggests that both of the features are arising from the
same carrier, and that supernovae are probably the dominant production source
of this new interstellar grain. A similar broad emission dust feature is also
found in the spectra of two starburst galaxies from the ISO archival data. This
new dust grain could be an abundant component of interstellar grains and can be
used to trace the supernova rate or star formation rate in external galaxies.
The existence of the broad 22 microns emission feature complicates the dust
model for starburst galaxies and must be taken into account correctly in the
derivation of dust color temperature. Mg protosilicate has been suggested as
the carrier of the 22 microns emission dust feature observed in Cassiopeia A.
The present results provide useful information in studies on chemical
composition and emission mechanism of the carrier.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, to appear in ApJ Letter