Mid-Infrared Imaging of the Protostellar Binary L1448N--IRS3(A,B)

Abstract

Mid-infrared (10-25 \micron) imaging of the protostellar binary system L1448N-IRS3(A,B) is presented. Only one source, IRS3(A), was detected at mid-infrared wavelengths -- all of the mid-infrared emission from IRS3(A,B) emanates from IRS3(A). The mid-infrared luminosity of IRS3(A) is L_{midir} = 1.3(\frac{d}{300\rm{pc}})^2 L_\sun, which yields a central source mass, depending on the mass infall rate, of M_* = 0.2 M_\sun \frac{10^{-6}M_\sun yr^{-1}}{\dot M}. The envelope mass surrounding IRS3(A) is \sim 0.15 M_\sun, suggesting that the central source and the envelope are of comparable mass. The locations of IRS3(A) and IRS3(B) on an $M_{env} - L_{bol}$ diagram indicate that IRS3(A) and IRS3(B) appear to be class I and class 0 protostars, respectively.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa