Photometry of Symbiotic and VV Cephei Stars in the Near Infrared (With a Note on MWC 56)

The majority of symbiotic and VV Cephei stars have near infrared continua closely resembling those of late-type stars. Evidence for weak infrared excesses has been found in the three stars RY Sct, W Cep, and U Lac. RX Pup and V1O16 Cyg exhibit very prominent infrared excesses which are attributable to thermal radiation from circumstellar dust. The "Bep" star MWC 56, whose spectrum shows Fe ii and [Fe ii] emission lines in the blue, possesses the absorption lines of a C or K component in the red. No substantial infrared excess is present. Key words: near-infrared photometry - symbiotic stars - VV Cephei stars