The Nature of the Herbig Ae- and Be-TYPE Stars Associated with Nebulosity

Abstract

A quantitative spectrophotometric study of the Herbig Ae and Be stars associated with nebulosity demonstrates that the majority have surface gravities appropriate to pre-main-sequence stars while the remainder have surface gravities characteristic of the zero-age main sequence. This evidence, along with their gross spectroscopic and photometric similarity to T Tauri-like stars and the fact that all these stars appear to be surrounded by circumstellar dust, places them among the youngest known stellar objects. The geometry of the circumstellar shells is discussed and the evidence seems to favor a non- spherical, possibly disklike shape. Finally, photographs taken with a l- image-tube system reveal a large number of red stellar objects surrounding many of these stars. This suggests that the Herbig Ae and Be objects may be the brightest representatives of very recently formed stellar groups.