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At least 163 records · Page 9
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NASA NTRS1990

Ultraviolet observations of the enigmatic bipolar nebula M1-92

IUE observations of the bipolar nebula M1-92 indicate that this object is an evolved object and possibly a preplanetary nebula. Data acquired in the SWP camera clearly show a flat UV continuum indicative of a relatively unobscured O subdwarf. Data acquired in the long wavelength region of the SWP and in the LWP camera reveal an object which mimics the characteristics of an F2 supergiant. These results, combined with other data at visual and infrared wavelengths, strongly favor that the central object of M1-92 is an evolved binary system. The He I 5876 and 6678 A absorption seen in optical spectra is extremely problematic. This, plus the presence of Fe II, Mg II, and Mg I absorption arising from resonance transitions and transitions from low-lying metastable levels, leads to the suggestion that the object resembling an F2 star is actually an early-type subdwarf cloaked in a thick circumstellar nebula. This interpretation and the similarities of the IR flux distribution to Vy 2-2, a preplanetary prototype, is consistent with M1-92 being in the process of forming a planetary nebula. The bipolar flow, the optical Fe II and ultraviolet Mg II emission of M1-92 are also characteristics of T Tauri stars. Although constraints definitely rule out that M1-92 is a pre-main-sequence object, these similarities imply that in many cases it may be difficult to distinguish between T Tauri stars and protoplanetary nebulae.

Feibelman, Walter A.↗
NASA NTRS1993

ROSAT observations of the Chamaeleon star forming cloud

Two-soft X-ray images of the Chamaeleon I star forming cloud obtained with the ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter (PSPC) are presented. Seventy reliable, and perhaps 19 additional, X-ray sources are found. Up to Ninety percent of these sources are certainly or probably identified with T Tauri stars formed in the cloud. Twenty to 35 are probably previously unrecognized 'weak' T Tauri (WTT) stars. T Tauri X-ray luminosities range from log bar-L(sub x) less than 28.8 to 31.1 erg/s, or 10(exp 2) - 10(exp 4) times solar levels, with mean value of log bar-L(sub x) = 10(exp 29.2) erg/s in the 0.2-2.5 keV band. The X-ray luminosities of well-studied Chamaeleon cloud members are correlated with a complex of four stellar properties: effective temperature, mass, radius and bolometric luminosity. The spatial distribution, Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram locations of the stars indicate WTT and CTT are coeval. The total premain sequence population of the cloud is likely to be greater than 100 stars, with WTT stars outnumbering 'classical' T Tauri (CTT) stars by approximately 2:1.

Feigelson, E. D.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Continuing changes in the peculiar nebulous object PV Cephei

Changes in the nebular structure, optical spectrum and stellar brightness of the faint star PV Cephei and the nebulosity associated with it are discussed. Iris photometry of the starlike object at the tip of the fan-shaped nebula reveals irregular variability of approximately 4 magnitudes in the red. Stellar spectra in the region 4300-6750 A taken from December 1976 to April 1980 are similar to the richest emission line spectra of T Tauri stars, while nebular spectra indicate a lack of spherical symmetry. Observations obtained in the infrared reveal a source offset by a few arcsec from the apex of the fan, which is identified with the illuminating star. Radial velocities of CO emission indicate that PV Cep is at the same distance as NGC 7023, and independent estimates lead to an estimated value of 500 pc. Such a distance corresponds to a bolometric luminosity approximately 100 times that of the sun. It is suggested that PV Cep is a T Tauri star that has recently broken through its circumstellar cocoon at a time when highly erratic variability and a strong stellar wind characterize the star.

Cohen, M.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Spectroscopic Detection of a Stellar-like Photosphere in an Accreting Protostar

We present high-resolution (R is approximately equal to 18,000), high signal-to-noise 2 micron spectra of two luminous, X-ray flaring Class I protostars in the rho Ophiuchi cloud acquired with the NIRSPEC (near infrared spectrograph) of the Keck II telescope. We present the first spectrum of a highly veiled, strongly accreting protostar which shows photospheric absorption features and demonstrates the stellar nature of its central core. We find the spectrum of the luminous (L (sub bol) = 10 solar luminosity) protostellar source, YLW 15, to be stellar-like with numerous atomic and molecular absorption features, indicative of a K5 IV/V spectral type and a continuum veiling r(sub k) = 3.0. Its derived stellar luminosity (3 stellar luminosity) and stellar radius (3.1 solar radius) are consistent with those of a 0.5 solar mass pre-main-sequence star. However, 70% of its bolometric luminosity is due to mass accretion, whose rate we estimate to be 1.7 x 10(exp -6) solar masses yr(exp -1). We determine that excess infrared emission produced by the circumstellar accretion disk, the inner infalling envelope, and accretion shocks at the surface of the stellar core of YLW 15 all contribute significantly to its near-IR (infrared) continuum veiling. Its rotational velocity v sin i = 50 km s(exp -1) is comparable to those of flat-spectrum protostars but considerably higher than those of classical T Tauri stars in the rho Oph cloud. The protostar may be magnetically coupled to its circumstellar disk at a radius of 2 - 3 R(sub *). It is also plausible that this protostar can shed over half its angular momentum and evolve into a more slowly rotating classical T Tauri star by remaining coupled to its circumstellar disk (at increasing radius) as its accretion rate drops by an order of magnitude during the rapid transition between the Class I and Class II phases of evolution. The spectrum of WL 6 does not show any photospheric absorption features, and we estimate that its continuum veiling is r(sub k) is greater than or equal to 4.6. Its low luminosity (2 solar masses) and high veiling dictate that its central protostar is very low mass, M is approx. 0.1 solar masses. We also evaluate multi-epoch X ray data along with these spectra and conclude that the X ray variabilities of these sources are not directly related to their protostellar rotation velocities.

Greene, Thomas P.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Spectral evolution of young stellar objects

An evolutionary sequence, from protostars to pre-main-sequence stars, is suggested for the classification of young stellar objects. This sequence is derived by comparing the predictions of the theoretical models of Adams and Shu with the morphological classification scheme of Lada and Wilking. We first define the spectral index in the near- and mid-infrared, n is identical to d log(nu F sub nu)/d log nu, and then interpret the class of sources with negative spectral indices as protostars. The inferred mass infall rates for these objects are generally consistent with the measured gas temperatures of approx. 35 K in Ophiuchus, and of approx. 10 K in Taurus. Fitting the data requires us to adopt cloud rotation rates in Ophiuchus which are typically an order of magnitude greater than in Taurus, and we speculate on the mechanistic origin for this difference. Next, we consider a subclass of T Tauri stars with near- and mid-infrared excesses and positive or zero spectral indices. We find that the objects with the steeper indices can be understood as the post-infall products from the collapse of rotating cloud cores, where the infrared excesses arise from the simple reprocessing of visible stellar photons in optically thick but spatially thin disks. The sources with flatter spectra may require massive accretion disks. Given the existence of protostars and naked star/disk systems, there is a natural interpretation of another subclass of T Tauri stars, those with two peaks in their emergent spectral energy distributions. These are readily explained as intermediate cases in which dust envelopes still surround the stars and disks. Finally, we find that the theory can be extended to explain the spectral energy distribution of FU Orionis, a famous outburst source. Our model suggests that FU Orionis has a disk, but it offers no discrimination between the competing ideas that the outburst took place on the star or in the disk.

Adams, F. C.↗
NASA NTRS2006

An X-ray Observation of the L1251 Dark Cloud

An X-ray image of the L1251 dark cloud in Cepheus was obtained with the XMM-Newton telescope. More than three dozen sources were detected above a 3 delta limit in X-ray luminosity of L(sub X = 10(exp 29) ergs/s. Among the detections are eight optically visible T Tauri stars, which had been identified in earlier work from their emission at H(alpha). The two strongest X-ray sources have steady luminosities of L(sub X) approx. 10(exp 31) ergs/s and are at the saturation limit for X-ray activity in late-type stars, L(sub X)/L(sub bol) approx. 10(exp -3). X-ray emission was also observed from two CO emission cores in L1251, core C (L1251A) and core E (L1251B). Both regions contain high-velocity molecular gas, bright IRAS sources (Class I protostars), thermal radio sources, and Herbig-Haro (HH) jets. In L1251A strong X-ray emission was discovered in close proximity to the near-inbred and radio source IRSA/VLA 7 and to IRAS 22343+7501. IRSA/VLA 7 thus appears to be the most likely source of the molecular and HH outflows in L1251A. In L1251B X-ray emission was observed from a visible T Tauri star, KP2-44, which is thought to be the driving source for HH 189. Also reported is the tentative detection of X-ray emission from VLA 3, a thermal radio continuum source in L1251B that is closely associated with the extreme Class I protostar IRAS 22376+7455.

Simon, Theodore↗
NASA NTRS1994

Circumprotostellar environments. 2: Envelopes, activity, and evolution

We have obtained 800 and 1100 micron photometric observations of a complete, flux-limited, IRAS-selected sample of cold sources in Taurus, whose infrared and molecular properties indicate them to be low-mass protostars which are younger than T Tauri stars. The goal of this study is to understand the role of the circumstellar envelope and disk during low-mass star formation and to search for signs of evolution. We find a good correlation between the submillimeter flux density (as well as of envelope mass) with both the mechanical luminosity of the molecular outflow and with the far-infrared luminosity, presumably produced by accretion onto the protostar. This suggests that the mass of the disk/envelope may be linked to the rate of accretion onto the protostar and to the generation of outflows. However, in contrast to the results of Cabrit & Andre (1991) we see no evidence for a lower limit to the disk/envelope mass which can produce outflow. We also find a significant difference between the spectral energy distributions at submillimeter wavelengths of embedded protostars compared to optically visible T Tauri stars. The more evolved (T Tuari) objects tend to have shallower spectral indices than embedded sources, suggesting (1) an evolution of dust grains, and/or (2) a more compact envelope and optically thick disk in the older objects.

Moriarty-Schieven, G. H.↗
NASA NTRS1995

WFPC2 Imaging of the Circumstellar Nebulosity of HL Tauri

HL Tauri is considered a prototype solar-mass T Tauri star. Planetary camera images of HL Tauri have been obtained through V, R, and I band filters using the Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 aboard the refurbished Hubble Space Telescope. These images show that HL Tauri is entirely reflection nebulosity at optical wavelengths, with no optical star visible to a limiting magnitude of V=25.5.

circumstellar matter stars HL Tauri pre-main seque↗
NASA NTRS1972

Review of results in infrared space astronomy.

Some stars, in particular, T Tauri stars, have substantial IR excesses at 10 microns. It is now understood that the long wavelength radiation comes from a shell of dust which surrounds the star and absorbs the stellar radiation. Part of the mass which is lost from supergiants is condensed into solid particles which remain in the stellar environment and provide the excess IR radiation. The most intense far-infrared object outside the solar system is the galactic center. Diffuse galactic IR objects include extended regions of gas and dust surrounding very hot young stars and regions of gas and dust surrounding cooler stars. Other subjects considered include IR galaxies and cosmic radiation.

Hoffmann, W. F.↗
NASA NTRS1987

The Einstein survey of the young stars in the Orion Nebula

The Orion Nebula is the best studied site of recent star formation in the Galaxy. The complete Einstein Observatory survey of the Orion Nebula covering a 2 deg x 2 deg region centered on the Trapezium is reported. An X-ray mosaic is presented for the Nebula along with a complete X-ray catalogue for this very young cluster. Approximately 150 distinct sources were found in this 4 sq deg region; spectral types and colors were obtained for about 1/2 of the optical counterparts of these sources. Comparison of the variability of the Orion X-ray sources with those found in the Rho Ophiuchi cloud leads to the conclusion that the Orion sources' variability is also likely to result from continual flaring activities. Eleven new late B stars associated with X-ray emission far exceeding that expected from early type stars were discovered. The X-rays may originate from pre-main sequence companions to these stars; a T-Tauri star of the same age would have the correct L sub x. Comparison of the solar type stars in Orion with those in the Pleiades, the Hyades, and the field suggests that the decay of activity with age is most appropriately described by an exponential, rather than a power law fit.

Zoonematkermani, S.↗
NASA NTRS1988

LkH-alpha 101 - The stellar wind, the surrounding nebula, and an associated radio star cluster

Radio observations of LkH-alpha 101 have been taken to determine the characteristics of the stellar wind from the central star as well as to image the surrounding nebulosity. They also revealed the presence of a high concentration of weak compact radio sources in the neighborhood of LkH-alpha 101, four of which have optical stellar counterparts. Spectra of three of the stars indicate two T Tauri stars and a highly obscured B star.

Becker, Robert H.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Diffraction limited infrared images of the binary star T Tauri

High-resolution images of T Tau and its infrared companion have been reconstructed from near- and midinfrared data collected at the Hale 5-m telescope. The near-infrared (1-5 microns) results were obtained by 2D speckle imaging and the midinfrared (10-20 microns) results were derived from shift-and-add procedures applied to slit scans. The spectral energy distributions of the separated components were constructed from 1- to 20-micron data collected in less than half a year (September 1990 to January 1991). The spectral energy distribution of the optical component (T Tau N) is interpreted as containing two distinct constituents, a photosphere and a surrounding disk of circumstellar material. Measurements at a number of infrared wavelengths over the period December 1985 to January 1991 show a 2-mag color-independent change in the brightness of the infrared component (T Tau S). It is proposed that this may have been caused by an increase in accretion onto T Tau S and model the spectral energy distribution of T Tau S as being dominated by an accretion disk.

Ghez, A. M.↗
NASA NTRS2000

X-ray Emission from Pre-Main-Sequence Stars - Testing the Solar Analogy

This LTSA award funded my research on the origin of stellar X-ray emission and the validity of the solar-stellar analogy. This research broadly addresses the relevance of our current understanding of solar X-ray physics to the interpretation of X-ray emission from stars in general. During the past five years the emphasis has been on space-based X-ray observations of very young stars in star-forming regions (T Tauri stars and protostars), cool solar-like G stars, and evolved high-mass Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars. These observations were carried out primarily with the ASCA and ROSAT space-based observatories (and most recently with Chandra), supplemented by ground-based observations. This research has focused on the identification of physical processes that are responsible for the high levels of X-ray emission seen in pre-main-sequence (PMS) stars, active cool stars, and WR stars. A related issue is how the X-ray emission of such stars changes over time, both on short timescales of days to years and on evolutionary timescales of millions of years. In the case of the Sun it is known that magnetic fields play a key role in the production of X-rays by confining the coronal plasma in loop-like structures where it is heated to temperatures of several million K. The extent to which the magnetically-confined corona interpretation can be applied to other X-ray emitting stars is the key issue that drives the research summarized here.

Skinner, Stephen L.↗
NASA NTRS1994

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.↗
NASA NTRS1993

ROSAT X-ray Study of the Stellar Population of the Chamaeleon I Dark Cloud

Two soft X-ray images of the Chamaeleon I cloud obtained with the ROSAT PSPC are presented. Seventy reliable, and perhaps 19 additional X-ray sources are found. Up to 90% of these sources are certainly or probably identified with T Tauri stars formed in the cloud. Twenty to 35 are probably new 'weak' T Tauri (WTT) stars. We summarize a statistical study of the relationships between X-ray emission and other physical properties for a number of Chamaeleon stars. We see no difference in spatial distributions, detection rate and luminosity functions between the WTTS and CTTS.

Casanova, S.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The nature and origin of Herbig-Haro objects

A brief description of the nature of Herbig-Haro nebulae is given, and the shock-wave origin of the nebulae is discussed. Kinematical evidence suggests that Herbig-Haro objects are ejected in bipolar flows from young stars. Evidence from infrared observations of the stars that excite Herbig-Haro objects is summarized; these stars appear to be T Tauri stars. The origin of these nebulae is discussed emphasizing energy required to power them, and a number of questions are posed pertaining to outflow mechanisms associated with the exciting stars.

Schwartz, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Observations of southern emission-line stars

A catalog of 1929 stars showing H-alpha emission on photographic plates is presented which covers the entire southern sky south of declination -25 deg to a red limiting magnitude of about 11.0. The catalog provides previous designations of known emission-line stars equatorial (1900) and galactic coordinates, visual and photographic magnitudes, H-alpha emission parameters, spectral types, and notes on unusual spectral features. The objects listed include 16 M stars, 25 S stars, 37 carbon stars, 20 symbiotic stars, 40 confirmed or suspected T Tauri stars, 16 novae, 14 planetary nebulae, 11 P Cygni stars, 9 Bep stars, 87 confirmed or suspected Wolf-Rayet stars, and 26 'peculiar' stars. Two new T associations are discovered, one in Lupus and one in Chamaeleon. Objects with variations in continuum or H-alpha intensity are noted, and the distribution by spectral type is analyzed. It is found that the sky distribution of these emission-line stars shows significant concentrations in the region of the small Sagittarius cloud and in the Carina region.

Henize, K. G.↗
NASA NTRS1980

High-frequency continuum observations of young stars

31-GHz and/or 90-GHz radio continuum observations have been made towards 48 young stars. Only three signals are definitely detected and are shown to represent late O or early B stars. None of the 'continuum T Tauri stars' were detected, suggesting that these are unlikely to be hot stars. Some early B stars should have been detectable if they have normal Stromgren zones. Their undetectability may well signify that circumstellar dust modifies the ionization of surrounding gas.

Cohen, M.↗