First Spectroscopic Study of a Unique Set of Young Stars in the Orion Nebula

Bruce McCollum (Caltech/SSC), Michael Castelaz (PARI), Fred Bruhweiler and Cherie Miskey (CUA), Al Schultz (STScI), Malcolm Niedner (NASA GSFC),

We obtained the first spectra of visible stars in proplyds.  Spectra were obtained using the HST/STIS with the 52 arcsec x 0.5 arcsec slit and G750L grating, resolution of 790, and centered at 7751A (bandpass 5236 to 10266 A).  We will describe the spectrum extraction method and present the extracted spectra and spectral types for the central stars of P164-510, P171-340, and P218-354.  T Tauri emission features are not clearly distinguishable apart from Orion nebular emission and the contribution from externally ionized parts of the proplyds.  Masses and ages of the proplyd central stars will be presented based on a comparison of their spectral classification with theoretical pre-MS evolutionary models.