THE 8-13 MICRON SPECTRUM OF THE YOUNG STELLAR OBJECT WL-16

Spectroscopy of WL 16 in the 8-13-mu-m region reveals a spectrum dominated by the hydrocarbon emission features at 7.7, 8.6, 11.25, and 12.7-mu-m. The emission plateau between the latter two features is detected, the first such detection in a young stellar object. The expected silicate feature is badly masked by the strong emission bands. Combining our spectra with the infrared spectral energy distribution indicates that silicate absorption is probably present.