Optical and near-infrared observations of S 140N

Optical CCD images and polarimetry as well as near-IR observations of the molecular core S 140N are presented. The images reveal a reflection nebulosity associated with the young IRAS source 22178+6317. Two pointlike sources are embedded in the reflection nebulosity. The near-IR colors indicate an IR excess characteristic of PMS objects. The CO outflow detected in the region is likely to be driven by these young objects. Four Herbig-Haro objects are detected in our images. This is the first detection of these kinds of objects in the S 140 molecular cloud. The HH objects are aligned in a scale of ≈2.5′ (≈0.7 pc) and point to a faint star, located at the northern end of the brighter HH object This star is therefore a suitable candidate to excite the HH objects and is likely to be a T Tauri-like star. In addition, the star is centered on a previously detected ammonia core and likely heats the high density gas. Finally, these data show that not only high-mass stars, but also low-mass stars have recently formed in the S 140 molecular cloud.