Title: A Large Scale Spectroscopic Survey of Intermediate Mass Stars with 
Protoplanetary  Disks in the Orion region

Authors: Villarreal, Luis (1, 2) , Hernández, Jesús (2), Landaeta, Yolanda (2), Calvet, 
Nuria (3), Briceño, Cesar (4)

(1) Postgrado de Física Fundamental. Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela.
(2) Centro de Investigaciones de Astronomía. Mérida, Venezuela
(3) Department of Astronomy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
(4) Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory, Casilla 603, La Serena, Chile


Abstract:
We have performed a selection of candidate intermediate mass stars (spectral types G0 
or earlier) that potentially exhibit protoplanetary disks based on infrared data from 
the WISE and Spitzer missions. The area surveyed spans 32°x32°, including the entire 
Orion star forming region.
Distances normally assumed for young stars located in this region range from 300 pc to 
500 pc. We have initiated optical spectroscopic follow-up observations of selected 
candidates. Our main goal is to build a large scale census of protoplanetary disks 
around intermediate mass stars that will contribute to a better understanding of the 
star forming and disk evolution processes, as well as possible relationships between 
the environment and the spatial distribution of stars in this mass regime.