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		| Paper: | 
		Introduction to the B[e] Phenomenon | 
	 
	
		| Volume: | 
		508, The B[e] Phenomenom: Forty Years of Studies | 
	 
	
		| Page: | 
		3 | 
	 
	
		| Authors: | 
		Oudmaijer, R. D.; Miroshnichenko, A. S. | 
	 
	
	
		| Abstract: | 
		In this contribution we  introduce the topic of this workshop with a  brief history of studies of objects with the B[e] phenomenon,  including its discovery and evolution of our understanding of the  phenomenon. We will also review the most prominent results on  selected objects published prior to the previous B[e] star conference  in 2005. These include the discovery of B[e] supergiants in the  Magellanic Clouds, detection of maser and laser lines in the spectrum  of MWC 349A, studies of η Carinae, and a few more. This talk is  planned to set up the stage for discussion of more recent results  that will be presented at the conference. | 
	 
	
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