High-resolution NIR spectra of IRAS 16316-1540

However, such outbursts are difficult to detect for deeply embedded protostars due to their thick envelope and the rarity of outbursts. The near-IR spectroscopy is a useful tool to identify ongoing outburst candidates by the characteristic absorption features that indicate a disk origin.

However, without high-resolution spectroscopy, the spectra of outburst candidates can be confused with the late-type stars since they have similar spectral features. For the protostar IRAS 16316-1540, the near-IR spectrum has line equivalent widths that are consistent with M-dwarf photospheres. However, our high-resolution IGRINS spectra reveal that the absorption lines have boxy and/or double-peaked profiles, as expected from a disk and not the star.