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T. Yu. Magakian

Publications and source records attributed to T. Yu. Magakian.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Inner disc rearrangement revealed by dramatic brightness variations in the young star PV Cep

Young Sun-like stars at the beginning of the pre-main sequence (PMS) evolution are surrounded by accretion discs and remnant protostellar envelopes. Photometric and spectroscopic variations of these stars are driven by interactions of the star with the disc. Time scales and wavelength dependence of the variability carry information on the physical mechanisms behind these interactions. We conducted multi-epoch, multi-wavelength study of PV Cep, a strongly variable, accreting PMS star. By combining our own observations from 2004-2010 with archival and literature data, we show that PV Cep started a spectacular fading in 2005, reaching an I_C-band amplitude of 4 mag. Analysis of variation of the optical and infrared fluxes, colour indices, and emission line fluxes suggests that the photometric decline in 2005-2009 resulted from an interplay between variable accretion and circumstellar extinction: since the central luminosity of the system is dominated by accretion, a modest drop in the accretion rate could induce the drastic restructuring of the inner disc. Dust condensation in the inner disc region might have resulted in the enhancement of the circumstellar extinction.

astro-ph.SR↗

Magnetospheric accretion-ejection processes in the classical T Tauri star AA

From a long time series of high resolution (R=115,000) HARPS spectra and simultaneous broad-band photometry, we report new evidence for magnetospheric accretion as well as ejection processes in the nearly edge-on classical T Tauri star AA Tau. AA Tau's light curve is modulated with a period of 8.22d. The recurrent luminosity dips are due to the periodic occultation of the central star by the magnetically-warped inner disk edge located at about 9 Rstar. Balmer line profiles exhibit a clear rotational modulation of high-velocity redshifted absorption components with a period of 8.22 days as well, with a maximum strength when the main accretion funnel flow passes through the line of sight. At the same time, the luminosity of the system decreases by about 1 mag, indicative of circumstellar absorption of the stellar photosphere by the magnetically-warped, corotating inner disk edge. The photospheric and HeI radial velocities also exhibit periodic variations, and the veiling is modulated by the appearance of the accretion shock at the bottom of the accretion funnel. Diagnostics of hot winds and their temporal behaviour are also presented. The peculiar geometry of the young AA Tau system (nearly edge-on) allows us to uniquely probe the acretion-ejection region close to the star. We find that most spectral and photometric diagnostics vary as expected from models of magnetically-channelled accretion in young stars, with a large scale magnetosphere tilted by 20 deg onto the star's spin axis. We also find evidence for time variability of the magnetospheric accretion flow on a timescale of a few rotational periods.

astro-ph↗

An Outbursting Protostar of the FU~Orionis type in the Cygnus OB7 Molecular Cloud

Context: To follow the early evolution of stars we need to understand how young stars accrete and eject mass. It is generally assumed that the FU Orionis phenomenon is related to the variations in the disk accretion, but many questions remain still open, in particular because of the rarity of FU Ori type stars. Aims: We explore here the characteristics of the outburst and of the environment of one new object, discovered recently in the in the active star formation region containing RNO127, within the Cygnus OB7 dark cloud complex. Methods: We present an extensive optical and near-infrared study of a new candidate of FU Orionis object, including its direct imaging, spectroscopy and scanning Fabry-Perot interferometry. Results: The source, associated with the variable reflection nebula, underwent prodigious outburst. The "Braid" nebula, which appeared in 2000, as is indicated by its name, consists of two intertwined features, illuminated by the outburst. Subsequent NIR observations revealed the bright source, which was not visible on 2MASS images, and its estimated brightening was more than 4 magnitudes. Optical and infrared spectral data show features, which are necessary for the system to be referred to as a FUor object. The bipolar optical flow directed by the axis of nebula also was found. Various estimates give the November/December 1999 as the most probable date for the eruption.

astro-ph↗