A Search for T Tauri Stars Based on the IRAS Point Source Catalog. I.

The results of the first part of a survey for new T Tauri stars, with spectroscopic and photometric observations of about 100 stars, are presented. A list of candidates has been selected by means of the IRAS Point Source Catalog, based on appropriate far-infrared colors. Coude spectra of the selected objects in the 655-673 nm wavelength range, which includes H-alpha and the resonance Li I line, have been obtained. Thirty-three new T Tauri stars, and a number of other interesting objects, like early type premain-sequence stars and Li-rich K giants, have been detected. Several new isolated T Tauri were found, including Hen 1, which may be the T Tauri star with the highest galactic latitude known, if its nature is confirmed.