Analysis of HST ultraviolet spectra for T Tauri stars: Estimating the interstellar extinction and the contribution from an accretion shock to the emission-continuum formation

We analyzed the spectra of eight T Tauri stars (T Tau, RY Tau, CO Ori, EZ Ori, GW Ori, GX Ori, V1044 Ori, and SU Aur) in the wavelength range from 1200 to 3100 Å taken with the STIS spectrograph from the Hubble Space Telescope. For each star, we found an upper limit on the interstellar extinction A _v , which proved to be lower than the values obtained by different authors from optical observations. For T Tau and RY Tau, we found the upper limits on their luminosities, masses, and radii as well as the bolometric luminosity of the excess emission continuum. The latter is most likely associated with mass accretion from a protoplanetary disk. We show that the bulk of the emission continuum is radiated in the infrared. For these stars, we determined the ratio of the flux in the C IV 1550 doublet lines to the excess-continuum flux. This ratio proved to be two orders of magnitude lower than its values predicted by the accretion-shock (AS ) models developed by Lamzin (1998) and Calvet and Gullbring (1998). This result leads us to believe that for T Tau and RY Tau, the emission continuum originates in the accretion disk and/or in the boundary layer rather than in the AS, as has been assumed previously. This implies that in these stars, only a small fraction of the accreted matter passes through the AS, while the bulk of this matter settles in the equatorial plane of the star, passing through the boundary layer.     

Photometric and spectroscopic variability of the pre‐main sequence star V1184 Tauri (CB 34V)

We present recent results from optical photometric and spectroscopic observations of the pre‐main sequence star V1184 Tau (CB 34V). The star is associated with the Bok globule CB 34 and was considered as a FUOR candidate in previous studies. Our photometric data obtained from October 2000 to April 2003 show that the stellar brightness varies with an amplitude of about 0.m 5 (I ), but from August 2003 the photometric behavior of the star has changed dramatically. Three deep brightness minima (ΔI ∼ 4^m.2) were observed during the past two years. The analysis of available photometric data suggests that V1184 Tau shows two types of variability produced (1) by rotation of large cool spotted surface and (2) by occultation from circumstellar clouds of dust or from features of a circumstellar disk. The behavior of the V – I index indicates that the star becomes redder towards minimum light, but from a certain turning point (V ∼ 18^m.2) it gets bluer and is fading further. Five medium dispersion optical spectra of V1184 Tau were obtained in the period 2001–2004. Signi.cant changes in the profile and strength of the emission lines in the spectrum of V1184 Tau were found. During minimum light the equivalent width of the Hα emission line increases from 4 Å to 9 Å. The [O I] lines (λλ 6003, 6363 Å) are also seen in emission while the sodium doublet keeps its absorption strength and equivalent width. The possibility to reconstruct the historical light curve of V1184 Tau using photographical plate archives is brie.y discussed. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Probing the circumstellar structures of T Tauri stars and their relationship to those of Herbig stars

We present Hα spectropolarimetry observations of a sample of 10 bright T Tauri stars, supplemented with new Herbig Ae/Be star data. A change in the linear polarization across Hα is detected in most of the T Tauri (9/10) and Herbig Ae (9/11) objects, which we interpret in terms of a compact source of line photons that is scattered off a rotating accretion disc. We find consistency between the position angle (PA) of the polarization and those of imaged disc PAs from infrared and millimetre imaging and interferometry studies, probing much larger scales. For the Herbig Ae stars AB Aur, MWC 480 and CQ Tau, we find the polarization PA to be perpendicular to the imaged disc, which is expected for single scattering. On the other hand, the polarization PA aligns with the outer disc PA for the T Tauri stars DR Tau and SU Aur and FU Ori, conforming to the case of multiple scattering. This difference can be explained if the inner discs of Herbig Ae stars are optically thin, whilst those around our T Tauri stars and FU Ori are optically thick. Furthermore, we develop a novel technique that combines known inclination angles and our recent Monte Carlo models to constrain the inner rim sizes of SU Aur, GW Ori, AB Aur and CQ Tau. Finally, we consider the connection of the inner disc structure with the orientation of the magnetic field in the foreground interstellar medium: for FU Ori and DR Tau, we infer an alignment of the stellar axis and the larger magnetic field direction.     

Photometric studies of three Be stars

From 1978 December to 1979 May, we made spectrographic observations of φPer, ζTau and κDra using our Schmidt cassegrain grating spectrograph. Values of electron density, rotational speed and variation have been obtained and a comparison between ζTau and the supergiant βOri carried out. We found that, over our observed period, θPer showed clear shell activities, ζTau was in a relatively calm phase, its shell slowly expanding, while κDra had all the signs of a “classical” Be star.     

X-ray Emission from the Pre-Main Sequence Systems FU Orionis and T Tauri

We present new results from recent X-ray observations of the accreting pre-main sequence stars FU Orionis and T Tauri. XMM-Newton observations of the close binary system FU Ori reveal an unusual X-ray spectrum consisting of a cool moderately-absorbed component and a hot component viewed through much higher absorption. The two components thus originate in physically distinct regions. The double absorption spectrum is qualitatively different than observed in typical coronal sources and may signal either non-coronal emission or separate unresolved X-ray contributions from more than one star in the system. High-resolution Chandra imaging of the T Tau triple system shows that its X-ray emission is dominated by the optically-revealed northern component T Tau N. X-ray spectra of T Tau obtained with XMM can be acceptably fitted with a moderately absorbed two-temperature thermal plasma model. Its spectral properties are similar to those seen in coronal X-ray sources.     

Semi-regular and alternating pulsations in hydrodynamical models for low-mass giants

On the basis of hydrodynamical simulations the semi-regular and alternating pulsations of the W Vir and RV Tau stars are studied including non-steady radiative transfer effects in gray sphericalsymmetric atmospheres. It is shown that the transition from regular to semi-regular oscillations occurs at periodsP13–15 days due to pulsation energy imbalance provoqued by strong radiating shocks. The differences between the periods and amplitudes of W Vir and RV Tau variables are explained as a result of this imbalance. It is suggested that the semi-regular alternating pulsations of the RV Tau stars appear following a period-doubling phenomenon, which can be also understood in terms of the pulsation energy variations between odd and even fundamental cycles. The pulsational characteristics of the period-doubled models are in general accordance with those observed in the RV Tau stars. On the basis of numberical results, a theoretical estimation of the upper limit for the luminosity of the RV Tau stars is derived asL10³ L .     

Discs and the 10-μm silicate spectra of young stellar objects with non-photospheric continua

Dust emission in the non-photospheric 10-μm continua of HL Tau and Taurus-Elias 7 (Haro6-10, GV Tau) is distinguished from foreground silicate absorption using a simple disc model with radial power-law temperature and mass–density distributions based on the IR–submm model of T Tauri stars by Adams, Lada & Shu with foreground extinction. The resulting 10-μm absorption profiles are remarkably similar to those of the field star Taurus-Elias 16 obtained by Bowey, Adamson & Whittet. The fitted temperature indices are 0.44 (HL Tau) and 0.33 (Elias 7) in agreement with Boss's theoretical models of the 200–300 K region, but lower than those of IR–submm discs (0.5–0.61; Mannings & Emerson); a significant fraction of the modelled 10-μm emission of HL Tau is optically thin, whilst that of Elias 7 is optically thick. We suggest that HL Tau's optically thin component arises from silicate dust within low-density layers above an optically thick disc.     

Tracking UVCS/SOHO Responsivity with Observations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">ζ</Emphasis> Tau

We have tracked the spectral responsivity of the ultraviolet channels of the UVCS (Ultraviolet Coronagraph Spectrometer) instrument on SOHO by repeated observations of a stable hot star. We demonstrate first that the ultraviolet spectral irradiance of the Be star ζ Tau (HD 37202) for the 100- to 125-nm wavelength range has been sufficiently constant for our purposes when measured periodically over the course of the SOHO mission. We then use ζ Tau as a radiometric transfer standard to determine an average decrease beginning in November of 1998 of 13.0% per year in the responsivity of the UVCS O vi channel for wavelengths near H i Ly α and for a particular UVCS unvignetted aperture used for science observations. The calibration tracking method involves separating two ζ Tau spectral regions that are overlapped on part of the detector. The change in the responsivity of UVCS/SOHO began in late 1998 as determined by comparison of simultaneous observations of the corona carried out with UVCS/SOHO and the freshly-calibrated UVCS instrument on the Spartan 201 satellite in early November of 1998. B. Valcu now at BrainLAB, Inc, 3 Westbrook Corporate Ctr., Tower 3, Suite 400, Westchester, IL 60154, USA, e-mail: bogdan.valcu@brainlab.com or Bogdan_valcu@hotmail.com     

Light variations and flares on V471 tauri

Two-colour photometric observations of the white-dwarf and K-dwarf eclipsing binary V471 Tau were made during the last four years. The resulting light curves and thirteen timings of mid-eclipse are presented. During the observations two flares were obtained on September 23 and December23, 1992. Both events occurred just after the fourth contact. The increment in the brightness was measured as 0 _. ^m 067. The energy liberated by the flare was computed to be 5.43 × 10³² erg s^–1 in the JohnsonB band, which amounts 1.13 times that of the total radiation of the K-dwarf.     

UV survey of δ Scuti stars: Final results and open problems

The results obtained from our IUE observations of some Scuti stars and in particular 71 Tau and 69 Tau are reviewed. 71 Tau is the second brightest X-ray source of the Hyades cluster; on the contrary 69 Tau, very similar to 71 Tau in the optical range, does not show X emissions. The complex and in somewhat controversial scenario obtained from this survey is also discussed. In particular we consider the X-ray emission detected in some Scuti with respect to the chromospheric activity level as measured through the MgII line and to other stellar parameters.     

New classification and basic stellar parameters of SU Equulei

The variable star SU Equulei was classified as a close binary with an eclipse light curve previously categorized as WUMa type. The aim of this paper is a review of this old classification on the basis of new observations and a new determination of variable star ephemeris as well as the determination of SU Equ spectral type and distance. New photometric observations in different colours allow a precise determination of the period of variability and yield more accurate light curves allowing a re‐classification of the type of variability. We find the best period of variability to be half the old value. The shape of the light curve is inconsistent with an eclipse curve but consistent with an RR Lyrae type c classification. From the B, V, and R colours we deduce a new spectral classification. SU Equulei is an RRc Lyrae type variable of spectral class A8 at a distance of ≈12.4 kpc instead of a late‐type eclipsing binary (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Gemini observations of disks and jets in young stellar objects and in active galaxies

We present first results from the Near-infrared Integral Field Spectrograph (NIFS) located at Gemini North. For the active galaxies Cygnus A and Perseus A we observe rotationally-supported accretion disks and adduce the existence of massive central black holes and estimate their masses. In Cygnus A we also see remarkable high-excitation ionization cones dominated by photoionization from the central engine. In the T-Tauri stars HV Tau C and DG Tau we see highly-collimated bipolar outflows in the [Fe II] λ 1.644 micron line, surrounded by a slower molecular bipolar outflow seen in the H₂ lines, in accordance with the model advocated by Pyo, T.-S., et al., Astrophys. J. 570, 724 (2002).     

Spectrophotometric study of SU Aurigae

Results are presented from a spectrophotometric study of SU Aurigae in the continuum and on spectral lines.Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 37, No. 2, pp. 229–233, April–June, 1994.     

Photoelektrische Untersuchungen des Magnetfeldes und der Helligkeit der Am-Sterne 15 Vul und 68 Tau

The Am stars 15 Vul and 68 Tau have been observed photoelectrically in the UBV system and for determination of the longitudinal magnetic field component. Both the stars show periodical variations of the magnitude and the magnetic field. The periods are determined to 14.0 days for 15 Vul and 57.25 days for 68 Tau. The variations of these Am stars are the same as those of typical Ap stars. The star 68 Tau was found to be a spectroscopical binary. The period of the orbital motion is 57.25 days, too. The rotation of the components is synchronous.     

相接双星金牛座AH

本文给出了金牛座AH的BV两色光电光变曲线。发现该双星的光变曲线从1973年到1986年发生了较大的变化,新观测到的光变曲线是对称的,用Wilson-Devinney方法分析我们的观测求得了AH Tau的测光解。结合该双星的光度视差求出了它的基本参量,并发现它距太阳的距离是昂星团距太阳距离的二倍。因此,AH Tau虽然在昴星团的方向上,但它不是昴星团的成员星。     

Monitoring Possible Light-Time Effect in the Orbital Period of Some Eclipsing Binaries at the Ankara University Observatory

A significant number of close binaries are known to be members of physically bound triple or multiple star systems. The O – C analysis technique which is based on the minima times of an eclipsing binary can reveal the light-time effect due to the presence of gravitationally bound and generally unseen close component(s) in the system. In this study we present shortly the O – C analysis results based on the light-time effect possibilities for two of the eclipsing binaries observationally followed by our group; TZ Boo and CF Tau.     

Photometric Studies of Twelve Deep, Low-mass Ratio Overcontact Binary Systems

The formations of the blue straggler stars and the FK Com-type stars are unsolved problems in stellar astrophysics. One of the possibilities for their formations is from the coalescence of W UMa-type overcontact binary systems. Therefore, deep (f > 50%), low-mass ratio (q < 0.25) overcontact binary stars are a very important source to understand the phenomena of Blue Straggler/FK Com-type stars. Recently, 12 W UMa-type binary stars, FG Hya, GR Vir, IK Per, TV Mus, CU Tau, V857 Her, V410 Aur, XY Boo, SX CrV, QX And, GSC 619-232, and AH Cnc, were investigated photometrically. Apart from TV Mus, XY boo, and GSC 619-232, new observations of the other 9 binaries were obtained. Complete light curves of the 10 systems, FG Hya, GR Vir, IK Per, TV Mus, CU Tau, V857 Her, GSC 619-232, V410 Aur, XY Boo, and AH Cnc, were analyzed with the 2003 version of the W-D code. It is shown that all of those systems are deep (f > 50%), low-mass ratio (q < 0.25) overcontact binary stars. We found that the system GSC 619-232 has the highest degree of overcontact (f = 93.4%). The derived photometric mass ratio of V857 Her, q = 0.0653, indicates that it is the lowest-mass ratio system among W UMa-type binaries.Of the 12 sample stars, long-term period changes of 11 systems were found. About 58% (seven) of the sample binaries show cyclic period oscillation. No cyclic period changes were discovered for the other 5 systems, which may be caused by the short observational time interval or by insufficient observations. Therefore, we think that all W UMa-type binary stars may contain cyclic period variations. By considering the long-term period changes (both increase and decrease) of those binary stars, we proposed two evolutionary scenarios evolving from deep, low-mass ratio overcontact binaries into Blue Straggler/FK Com-type stars.     

Estimating the interstellar extinction and the contribution from an accretion shock to the formation of emission continuum in DS Tau and DG Tau

We analyze the UV spectra of the young stars DG Tau and DS Tau taken with the STIS spectrograph from the Hubble Space Telescope. For these stars, we found the upper limits of the interstellar extinction A _V . Their values proved to be lower than those obtained by other authors from optical observations. For DS Tau, DG Tau, and T W Hya, we also determined the ratio of theflux in the C IV 1550 doublet lines to the excess continuum flux. It proved to be an order of magnitude lower than its value predicted by the accretion-shock (AS) models of Lamzin (1998) and Calvet and Gullbring (1998). It thus follows that for these stars, the emission continuum originates mainly in the accretion disk and/or the boundary layer rather than in the AS, as has been thought previously. Since a similar conclusion has previously been reached for DR Tau, T Tau, and RY Tau, we may assume that the disks around most young stars reach the stellar surface and accretion mainly proceeds through the boundary layer.     

The number-density of stars in a spherically-symmetric system containing a massive black hole at its center

An object with a compact core is a configuration in various astrophysical problems. In this paper, considering general relativity, the number densities of stars in a spherically-symmetric system containing a massive black hole in its center has been obtained forv=4/3,5/3, and the non-relativistic case. The results obtained by Peebles (1972), Bahcall and Wolf (1976), and that obtained for an isothermal sphere case are discussed. Taking into account the stability of the system, it is found to be more rational to usen(r) r ^–7/4 to express the number density of stars when they are near the massive central black hole.     

Analysis of the hyades giant stars ε and γ Tau

Two hyades giant stars, and Tau, have been studied from an analysis of strong line profiles. We get for Tau,T _e =4750K and logg=2.7, and for Tau,T _e =4700K and logg=2.8. Hydrogen-to-metal ratio for the two stars is nearly the same as that of solar value.