An ultraviolet view of Be stars

Several types of ultraviolet observations of Be stars are briefly summarized, with a view towards identifying the characteristics, if any, that distinguish Be stars from other early type objects. The present weight of the evidence is that, from the point of view of ultraviolet data, Be stars are nearly indistinguishable from normal B stars. Both groups have similar characteristics, with differences only in degree. Further comparative studies of Be and nonBe stars have the potential to reveal the causes of the Be phenomenon, and possibly also the origins of winds in early type stars. Several areas for future ultraviolet research are suggested.