Abstract:
Spectrophotometric observations of 26 Be stars are reported and analyzed in the wavelength range λ3200 to λ8000 Å. Two observational features readily noted in these stars are: (i) a Balmer discontinuity smaller than that exhibited by normal B-type stars of similar spectral type; and (ii) an excess flux in the near-infrared region. A simple optically thin model is assumed which describes the small Balmer jump as due to free-bound emission in the Balmer continuum arisisng in a circumstellar envelope.
