Abstract: Local luminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs) provide an ideal laboratory for detailed investigations of extreme phenomena such as active galactic nuclei (AGN) and starbursts induced by mergers. IIZw096 is one such system with infrared emission that peaks outside of the two merging nuclei. This region is completely embedded by dust and no emission is detected in the UV and optical with HST. Previous observations with Spitzer have hinted that most of the mid- and far-infrared emission of the whole system is from a single source in the region. However, its exact location could not be nailed down due to the limited spatial resolution, and its energy source has also been unknown. In this talk, I will present some results from new JWST imaging observations of the dust embedded region in IIZw096. Thanks to the superb resolution and sensitivity of JWST, we have finally pinpointed the exact source that is responsible for the bulk of the infrared emission and constrained its infrared luminosity density. At the current time, it is not clear whether this source is powered by an AGN or a starburst. I’ll discuss the intriguing nature of this red compact source.
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