2000A&A...364..613H

We present a comprehensive study of the luminous young stellar object IRAS 12326-6245 at near- and mid-infrared wavelengths as well as in the millimetre wavelength range. IRAS 12326-6245 is associated with two ultracompact HII regions. These massive young stellar objects are surrounded by a cluster of stars revealed by the near-infrared images. With N- and Q-band imaging, we find four very deeply embedded mid-infrared sources which form a remarkable proto-Trapezium system. Both ultracompact HII regions are associated with mid-infrared sources. In addition, a K'-band nebulosity is present which outlines the rim of the molecular outflow. The mapping in different molecular lines as well as in the λ1.3 mm continuum shows that IRAS 12326-6245 is deeply embedded in a dense molecular cloud core in agreement with the steeply rising infrared spectral energy distributions of the ultracompact HII regions. In the region one of the most energetic and massive bipolar molecular outflows was detected in CO(2-1), C¹⁸O(2-1), and SO with its origin close to IRAS 12326-6245.