2003AJ....126.2411B

We present a mid-infrared (MIR) study of NGC 3576. The high-resolution images were taken at the Gemini South Observatory through narrow- and broadband filters centered between 7.9 and 18 µm. The nearly diffraction-limited images show IRS 1 resolved into four sources for the first time in the 10 µm band. The positions of the sources are coincident with massive young stellar objects (YSOs) detected previously in the near-infrared (NIR). The properties of each object, such as spectral energy distribution, silicate absorption feature, color temperature, and luminosities were obtained and are discussed. We also report observations of two other YSO candidates and the detection of a new diffuse MIR source without an NIR counterpart. We conclude that none of these sources contributes significantly to the ionization of the H II region. A possible location for the ionization source of NGC 3576 is suggested based on both radio and infrared data.