A triple star in disarray. Multi-epoch observations of T Tauri with VLT-SPHERE and LBT-LUCI

  • M. Kasper
  • , K. K. R. Santhakumari
  • , T. M. Herbst
  • , R. van Boekel
  • , F. Menard
  • , R. Gratton
  • , R. G. van Holstein
  • , M. Langlois
  • , C. Ginski
  • , A. Boccaletti
  • , M. Benisty
  • , J. de Boer
  • , P. Delorme
  • , S. Desidera
  • , C. Dominik
  • , J. Hagelberg
  • , T. Henning
  • , J. Heidt
  • , R. Köhler
  • , D. Mesa
  • S. Messina, A. Pavlov, C. Petit, E. Rickman, A. Roux, F. Rigal, A. Vigan, Z. Wahhaj, A. Zurlo

Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer)Articlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract


Aims: T Tauri remains an enigmatic triple star for which neither the evolutionary state of the stars themselves, nor the geometry of the complex outflow system is completely understood. Eight-meter class telescopes equipped with state-of-the-art adaptive optics provide the spatial resolution necessary to trace tangential motion of features over a timescale of a few years, and they help to associate them with the different outflows.
Methods: We used J-, H-, and K-band high-contrast coronagraphic imaging with VLT-SPHERE recorded between 2016 and 2018 to map reflection nebulosities and obtain high precision near-infrared (NIR) photometry of the triple star. We also present H2 emission maps of the ν = 1-0 S(1) line at 2.122 μm obtained with LBT-LUCI during its commissioning period at the end of 2016.
Results: The data reveal a number of new features in the system, some of which are seen in reflected light and some are seen in H2 emission; furthermore, they can all be associated with the main outflows. The tangential motion of the features provides compelling evidence that T Tauri Sb drives the southeast-northwest outflow. T Tauri Sb has recently faded probably because of increased extinction as it passes through the southern circumbinary disk. While Sb is approaching periastron, T Tauri Sa instead has brightened and is detected in all our J-band imagery for the first time....
Original languageEnglish
JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2020

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