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

Authors :: Claire E. Max
James R. Graham
James P. Lloyd
Donald Gavel
Elinor L. Gates
Deanna Marie Pennington
Marshall D. Perrin
Paul Kalas
Bonaccini Calia, Domenico
Ellerbroek, Brent L.
Ragazzoni, Roberto
Publication Year :: 2004
Publisher :: arXiv, 2004.
Abstract: 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.<br />Comment: To appear in Science, 27 February 2004 (4 pages, 2 figures + refs)