A&A 395, 891-898 (2002)
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20021351

Bispectrum speckle interferometry of the B[e] star MWC 349A

K.-H. Hofmann¹, Y. Balega², N. R. Ikhsanov^{1, 3}, A. S. Miroshnichenko^{1, 3, 4} and G. Weigelt<sup>1

1</sup>  Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie, Auf dem Hügel 69, 53121 Bonn, Germany
²  Special Astrophysical Observatory, Nizhnij Arkhyz, Zelenchuk district, 369167, Karachai-Chirkassian Republic, Russia
³  Central Astronomical Observatory RAS at Pulkovo, Pulkovo 65/1, 196140 St. Petersburg, Russia
⁴  Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA

(Received 24 June 2002 / Accepted 10 September 2002 )

Abstract
We present the results of bispectrum speckle interferometry of the B[e] star MWC 349A obtained with the SAO 6 m telescope. Our diffraction-limited J-, H-, and K-band images (resolutions 43-74 mas) suggest the star is surrounded by a circumstellar disk seen almost edge-on. The observed visibility shape is consistent with a two-component elliptical disk model, probably corresponding to the gaseous and dusty components of the disk. We show that the classification of the object as a pre-main-sequence star or a young planetary nebula is problematic. An analysis of the uncertainties in the basic parameter determination leads us to the conclusion that MWC 349A is probably either a B[e] supergiant or a binary system, in which the B[e]-companion dominates the observed properties.

Key words: techniques: image processing -- stars: emission-line, Be -- stars: individual: MWC 349A

Offprint request: K.-H. Hofmann, khh@mpifr-bonn.mpg.de

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