Spatially resolved imaging spectroscopy of T Tauri
Abstract
The small separation of the individual stellar components in the TTau system has prevented spectroscopy of the individual components in the near-infrared (NIR) in the past. We present NIR data (H- and K-band) on this object taken using the ALFA adaptive optics (AO) system in combination with the 3D integral field spectrograph. Except for the Brackett series seen in emission, the NIR spectra of appear featureless, suggesting that warm dust dominates the radiation. No ro-vibrational lines of molecular hydrogen were found in close vicinity to the stars. The Brackett line emission from and S could not be resolved with the 3.5-m-telescope, implying that it arises within 6 AU from the stars. The line ratios between Brγ (2.166 μm) and Br10 (1.736 μm) toward and are similar, suggesting similar selective extinctions towards the respective emitting regions. Our results are consistent with a model that describes as a pre-main sequence star surrounded by a small edge-on disk, leaving the polar regions relatively unobscured. We present numerical simulations which support this model.
Turn this paper into a full lesson
ArcXiv compiles a staged curriculum from this paper: 8-12 lessons across beginner → advanced, synthesised section guides, visuals, flashcards, a quiz, exercises, and on-demand deep dives per section. Grounded in the abstract, never invented.