Low-mass star formation in CG1: a diffraction limited search for pre-main sequence stars next to NX Puppis

Abstract

Using adaptive optics at the ESO 3.6m telescope, we obtained diffraction limited JHK-images of the region around the Herbig AeBe star NX Pup. We clearly resolved the close companion (sep. 0.128") to NX Pup -- originally discovered by HST -- and measured its JHK magnitudes. A third object at a separation of 7.0" from NX Pup was identified as a classical T Tauri star so that NX Pup may in fact form a hierarchical triple system. We discuss the evolutionary status of these stars and derive estimates for their spectral types, luminosities, masses and ages.