A High Spatial Resolution Infrared View of the T Tauri Multiple System

Simple item page
dc.creatorBeck, Tracy L.
dc.creatorSchaefer, G. H.
dc.creatorSimon, M.
dc.creatorPrato, L.
dc.creatorStoesz, J. A.
dc.creatorHowell, R. R.
dc.date2004-06-15
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-07T11:57:05Z
dc.date.available2026-07-07T11:57:05Z
dc.descriptionWe present the results of our monitoring study of the IR photometric and spectroscopic variability of the T Tau multiple system. We also present data on the apparent position of T Tau S with respect to T Tau N, and two new spatially resolved observations of the T Tau Sa-Sb binary. T Tau N has not varied by more than 0.2 magnitudes in K and L' flux during the 8 years of our observations, though its Br gamma and Br alpha emission line fluxes have varied by nearly a factor of four during this time. For the unresolved T Tau S system, we have derived a 20 year light curve based on our images and on measurements available in the literature. T Tau S varies by 2-3 magnitudes in K and L'-band brightness in a ``redder when faint'' manner, consistent with changes along the line of sight in the amount of material that follows an ISM extinction law. Absorption in the 3.05um water-ice feature is seen only in the spectra of T Tau S and it displays variations in depth and profile. H_2 (2.12 um) emission is also detected only at the position of T Tau S; the H_2, Br gamma and Br alpha emission line fluxes also vary. We have found that the apparent positions of T Tau S with respect to T Tau N and T Tau Sb with respect to Sa are consistent with gravitationally bound orbital motion. The possible orbits of the T Tau S binary imply that Sa is likely the most massive component in this young triple. A reanalysis of the motion of the radio source associated with T Tau S provides no evidence for an ejection event in the T Tau system.
dc.description49 pages, including 17 figures. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal
dc.identifierhttps://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0406337
dc.identifierhttp://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0406337
dc.identifierAstrophys.J.614:235-251,2004
dc.identifierdoi:10.1086/423418
dc.identifier.urihttp://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/205761
dc.subjectAstrophysics
dc.titleA High Spatial Resolution Infrared View of the T Tauri Multiple System
dc.typetext

Files

Collections

arXiv