2005A&A...436..653M

We present the results of optical and near-IR spectroscopic and near-IR photometric observations of the emission-line stars Hen 3-298 and Hen 3-303. Strong emission in the Hα line is found in both objects. The presence of Fe ii and [O I] emission lines in the spectrum of Hen 3-298 indicates that it is a B[e] star. The double-peaked CO line profiles, found in the infrared spectrum of Hen 3-298, along with the optical line profiles suggest that the star is surrounded by a rotating circumstellar disc. Both objects also show infrared excesses, similar to those of B[e] stars. The radial velocities of the absorption and emission lines as well as a high reddening level suggest that the objects are located in the Norma spiral arm at a distance of 3-4.5kpc. We estimated a luminosity of logL/L_☉∼5.1 and a spectral type of no earlier than B3 for Hen 3-298. Hen 3-303 seems to be a less luminous B-type object (logL/L_☉∼4.3), located in the same spiral arm.