Near- and Mid-Infrared Imaging Study of Young Stellar Objects around LkHα 234

We present high-resolution (0.'' 2) near-infrared images of the area surrounding the Herbig Be star LkH alpha 234 taken with the Coronagraphic Imager with Adaptive Optics (CIAO) and the adaptive optics on the Subaru Telescope. The near-infrared (J, H, K, L', and M' bands) images reveal circumstellar structures around LKH alpha 234 in detail. Eight young stellar object (YSO) candidates (Object B, C, D, E, F, G, NW I, and NW2) were detected at 2 ''-11 '' from LkH alpha 234. Objects B and C are likely variable stars, which is consistent with a young evolutionary status. Three objects (LkH alpha 234, NW I, and NW2) were identified in the 11.8 mu m (SiC) and 17.65 mu m images obtained with the Long Wavelength Spectrometer (LWS) on the Keck Telescope. NW I and NW2 are thought to be embedded young stars. We suggest that NW!, and not LkH alpha 234, is the source illuminating the reflection nebula west of LkH alpha 234, although Object G may be another candidate. In our images, these objects are located at the center of the 2 mu m polarization, and NW I resides at the center of a monopolar cavity. The SED of NW1 suggests that it is a YSO with a spectral type of B6-B7. Object F and G were discovered by our observations at 1.'' 9 and 2.'' 3 respectively, from LkH alpha 234, and their proximity to LkH alpha 234 suggests that they may be its lower-mass companions.