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40 records · Page 3

X-rays from the youngest stars

The X-ray properties of classical and weak-lined T Tauri stars are briefly reviewed, emphasizing recent results from the ROSAT satellite and prospects for ASCA. The interpretation of the high level of T Tauri X-rays as enhanced solar-type magnetic activity is discussed and criticized. The census of X-ray emitters is significantly increasing estimates of galactic star formation efficiency, and X-ray emission may be important for self-regulation of star formation. ASCA images will detect star formation regions out to several kiloparsecs and will study the magnetically heated plasma around T Tauri stars. However, images will often suffer from crowding effects.

Feigelson, Eric D.↗

From Algol to Beta Lyrae

Recognizing that the structure and evolutionary status of Beta Lyrae are much more complicated than for Algol, some of the problems of revealing its structure are discussed. The best model available at present considers Beta Lyrae as an Algol-type semi-detached system in a phase of fairly rapid mass transfer, i.e., younger than typical Algols. It is concluded that Beta Lyrae is not so special as it appears; some characteristics that are so puzzling in Beta Lyrae already appear in such classical Algols as U Cephei and RW Tauri. The mass-accreting components in these systems are surrounded by a hot, turbulent layer which probably expands and which is the seat of emission lines of fairly high ionization discovered in the far ultraviolet. In Beta Lyrae and the so-called W Serpenis stars, the circumstellar hot turbulent shell is much more extensive and probably also denser - a kind of 'superchromosphere'. In Beta Lyrae, a thick disk probably completely surrounds and hides the accreting star proper.

Plavec, M. J.↗

The naked T Tauri stars - The low-mass pre-main sequence unveiled

The search for low-mass premain-sequence (PMS) stars associated with X-ray sources in regions of star formation is discussed. The survey to date has revealed at least 30 low-mass PMS stars in the Tau-Aur region, and a comparable number in Oph. These stars are the naked T Tau stars, unveiled versions of the well-known classical T Tau stars. The properties of these newly discovered PMS stars and their relation to the classical T Tau stars are discussed, and it is concluded that the naked T Tau stars are the true low-mass PMS stars, and that the observable characteristics defining the classical T Tau stars are due to the interaction of an underlying, fairly normal star with a dominant circumstellar environment. The impact the naked T Tau stars are likely to have on models of the PMS evolution of low-mass stars is considered.

Walter, Frederick M.↗

Multiwavelength Observations of the RV Tauri Variable System U Monocerotis: Long-term Variability Phenomena That Can Be Explained by Binary Interactions with a Circumbinary Disk

We present an X-ray through submillimeter observations of the classical RV Tauri(RVb-type)variable U Mon, apost-asymptotic giant branch(AGB)binary with a circumbinary disk(CBD). Our SMA observations indicate aCBD diameter of550 au. Our XMM-Newton observations make U Mon thefirst RV Tauri variable detected inX-rays. The X-ray emission is characteristic of a hot plasma(∼10 MK), withLX=5×1030erg s−1, and weconsider its possible origin from U Mon, its companion, and/or binary system interactions. Combining DASCHand AAVSO data, we extend the time-series photometric baseline back to the late 1880s andfind evidence thatU Mon has secular changes that appear to recur on a timescale of∼60 yr, possibly caused by a feature in the CBD.From literature radial velocities wefind that the binary companion is a∼2MeA-type main-sequence star. Theorientation of the binary’s orbit lies along our line of sight(ω=95°), such that apastron corresponds to photometricRVb minima, consistent with the post-AGB star becoming obscured by the near side of the CBD. In addition, wefind the size of the inner-CBD hole(∼4.5–9au)to be comparable to the binary separation, implying that one orboth stars may interact with the CBD at apastron. The obscuration of the post-AGB star implicates the companionas the likely source of the enhanced Hαobserved at RVb minima and of the X-ray emission that may arise fromaccreted material.

Laura D Vega↗