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 NH3 maps. However, our observations indicate that the mid-infrared emission may not be exactly coincident with the NH3 emission.