Spectropolarimetry of Herbig-Haro objects and the exciting star of HH 30
Spectrophotometric and spectropolarimetric observations are presented of three HH objects: HH 11, 30, and 43. Although null polarization results are obtained for HH 11 and 43, the unusually strong continuum of HH 30 is linearly polarized by 3%. The emission lines in this nebula are unpolarized. The electric vector position angle appropriate to the continuum polarization, and the presence of Fe II emission lines apparently from the photosphere of a T Tauri-like star, indicate HL Tau as the exciting/illuminating star for HH 30. Evidence is adduced for a highly anisotropic distribution of circumstellar obscuration around this star.