1998A&A...336..648M

We present the results of high angular resolution observations of the Red Rectangle nebula in the K(2.2µm), L'(3.87µm), M(4.75µm) infrared bands and in the unidentified infrared (UIR) emission feature at 3.3µm. The results confirm earlier near-infrared observations and show, with a better spatial resolution, that the bipolar structure of the object is still present very close to the core of the system at these wavelengths. The core of nebula is partially resolved in the K band and at 3.3µm. We find that the UIR emission at 3.3µm is enhanced along the cone walls. The images clearly show that the observed nebula is produced by a compact equatorial disk of dust slightly inclined with respect to the line of sight. Large particles are present in the circumstellar environment, probably both in the disk and in the lobes.