An IUE Investigation of Flarelike Activity in Lambda Eri

We propose to make simultaneous IUE, Voyager, Ginga and multi-site ground-based spectroscopic observations of the B2e star lambda Eridani Recent line profile observations of this star, as well as the now well documented X-ray activity in -t Cas, suggest that apparently random, high energy events occur ubiquitously near the surfaces of some Be stars. Also, subescape ejections from this star during active phases seems to be similar to those associated with flaring in magnetically active cool stars. IUE observations provide a sensitive means of detecting temperature enhancements on the surface of an early B star. We wish to exploit this capability by monitoring A Eri simultaneously with the IUE (3 US2 shifts) and two ground-based spectroscopic facilities in the U.S. and Japan. We will compare "transient" activity in the optical lines with that observed in a number of UV resonance line profiles. These observations will furnish a unique opportunity to test the idea that Be activity arises from flaring in temporary, chaotic knots of magnetic fields on the surfaces of these stars, and should be capable of detecting flares with equivalent temperatures between 2 x 10^4 and > 10^7 K. The proposed study complements studies of winds in Be stars that turn on and off over longer timescales with H-alpha activity.