Laser Guide Star Adaptive Optics Imaging Polarimetry of Herbig Ae/Be Stars

We have used laser guide star adaptive optics and a near-infrared dual-channel imaging polarimeter to observe light scattered in the circumstellar environment of Herbig Ae/Be stars on scales of 100-300 AU. We discover a strongly polarized, biconical nebula 10 arcseconds in diameter (6000 AU) around...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:arXiv.org 2004-02
Main Authors: Perrin, Marshall D, Graham, James R, Kalas, Paul, Lloyd, James P, Max, Claire E, Gavel, Donald T, Pennington, Deanna M, Gates, Elinor L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptive optics
Imaging polarimeters
Infrared imaging
Infrared imaging systems
Laser guide stars
Nebulae
Polarimetry
Stars
Stellar evolution
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Summary:We have used laser guide star adaptive optics and a near-infrared dual-channel imaging polarimeter to observe light scattered in the circumstellar environment of Herbig Ae/Be stars on scales of 100-300 AU. We discover a strongly polarized, biconical nebula 10 arcseconds in diameter (6000 AU) around the star LkHa 198, and also observe a polarized jet-like feature associated with the deeply embedded source LkHa 198-IR. The star LkHa 233 presents a narrow, unpolarized dark lane consistent with an optically thick circumstellar disk blocking our direct view of the star. These data show that the lower-mass T Tauri and intermediate mass Herbig Ae/Be stars share a common evolutionary sequence.
ISSN:2331-8422
DOI:10.48550/arxiv.0402615