HIGH-RESOLUTION INFRARED IMAGING OF THE RED RECTANGLE NEBULA

We present the results of high angular resolution observations of the Red Rectangle nebula in the K(2.2 mu m), L'(3.87 mu m), M(4.75 mu m) i nfrared bands and in the unidentified infrared (UIR) emission feature at 3.3 mu m The results confirm earlier near-infrared observations and show, with a better spatial resolution, that the bipolar structure of the object is still present very close to the core of the system at t hese wavelengths. The core of nebula is partially resolved in the K ba nd and at 3.3 mu m We find that the UIR emission at 3.3 mu m is enhanc ed along the cone walls. The images clearly show that the observed neb ula is produced by a compact equatorial disk of dust slightly inclined with respect to the line of sight. Large particles are present in the circumstellar environment, probably both in the disk and in the lobes .