The Incidence of λ Boötis Stars via an Extension of the MK Spectral Classification System to Very Young A-Type Stars

Abstract

In this paper we introduce an extension to the MK system of spectral classification that allows the precise classification of pre–main-sequence (PMS) A-type stars, including most Herbig Ae stars. This classification scheme characterizes the star by a standard MK type, the presence and strength of emission and/or shell lines, and the strength of the Balmer decrement. It can be used to summarize temporal spectral changes in PMS A-type stars, and to search for peculiar types. We have used this scheme to classify 38 Herbig Ae stars as well as 22 PMS stars in the young open clusters NGC 2264, NGC 7160, and IC 348. We have also used this extended system to search for λ Bootis stars among PMS A-type stars. We have found one definite λ Bootis star among the Ae stars, and one marginal λ Bootis star in NGC 2264, yielding statistics not significantly different from those of the λ Bootis stars in the field. This, in addition to other considerations from previous studies, leads us to conclude that the λ Bootis mechanism is operable from very early ages (PMS) to well into the main-sequence life (a few times 108 yr) of only 2%–3% of A-type stars.