MASS-LOSS RATES FROM HI INFRARED LINES IN HERBIG AE BE STARS/

We present results of the observations of infrared HI recombination li nes (namely Pa beta, Br gamma, Br alpha, Pf gamma and Pf beta) from 14 Herbig Ae/Be stars. From line luminosities, and using an ionized wind model, we have determined the wind mass loss rates of these stars. Th e values obtained are in the range 10(-8) to 10(-6) M. yr(-1). For tho se stars for which M(w) has also been independently determined from CO observations, we find a reasonable agreement between the two estimate s. We find a correlation between M(w) and the star's bolometric lumino sity, which is in agreement with previous results for Young Stellar Ob jects (YSOs): a similar relation holds also for classical Be stars, al though at a significantly lower level, suggesting a continuity of the mass loss mechanism during the evolution of intermediate mass stars. F rom the analysis of the correlation between mass loss rates and differ ent indicators of the source stellar and circumstellar environment, we conclude that a proportionality between the mass loss rate and the st ellar mass can account for the observed results.