New infrared observations of IRS1, IRS3, and the adjacent nebula in the OMC-2 cluster

Observations of the infrared cluster of low luminosity protostars in Orion Molecular Cloud 2 (OMC2) are reported. Results show that the asymmetric distribution of the extended emission seen about IRS1 is another infrared reflection nebula. Energy distributions show that the spectral shape is fairly constant throughout the nebula which indicates there is little internal extinction within this region. Integrated surface brightness values show that the nebula is 5 times brighter than IRS1 at K. Energy distributions show that IRS1 has a more pronounced ice band absorption feature at 3.1 micron; suggesting that there is more extinction along the direct line of sight to IRS1 than along a line from IRS1 to the scattering grains and then to the observer. The distribution of the extended emission around IRS1 is similar to the reflection nebula seen in NGC 7538 (Werner et al. 1979). The asymmetric shapes of the two nebulae are similar and in each case there is excess extinction along line of sight to the illuminating source.