Skip to main content

Infrared spectroscopy of eruptive variable protostars from VVV

Contreras Peña, C., Lucas, P.W., Kurtev, R., Minniti, D., Caratti o Garatti, A., Marocco, F., Thompson, M.A., Froebrich, Dirk, Kumar, M.S.N., Stimson, W., and others. (2016) Infrared spectroscopy of eruptive variable protostars from VVV. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 465 (3). pp. 3039-3100. ISSN 0035-8711. (doi:10.1093/mnras/stw2802) (KAR id:58437)

PDF Publisher pdf
Language: English


Download (11MB)
[thumbnail of stw2802.pdf]
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
Request an accessible format
PDF Author's Accepted Manuscript
Language: English
Download (6MB) Preview
[thumbnail of vvv_var_II.pdf]
Preview
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
Request an accessible format
PDF
Language: English
Download (11MB) Preview
[thumbnail of stw2802.pdf]
Preview
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
Request an accessible format
Official URL:
http://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stw2802

Abstract

In a companion work (Paper I), we detected a large population of highly variable Young Stellar Objects (YSOs) in the Vista Variables in the Via Lactea (VVV) survey, typically with class I or flat spectrum spectral energy distributions and diverse light-curve types. Here we present infrared spectra (0.9–2.5??m) of 37 of these variables, many of them observed in a bright state. The spectra confirm that 15/18 sources with eruptive light curves have signatures of a high accretion rate, either showing EXor-like emission features (?v = 2 CO, Br?) and/or FUor-like features (?v = 2 CO and H2O strongly in absorption). Similar features were seen in some long-term periodic YSOs and faders but not in dippers or short-term variables. The sample includes some dusty Mira variables (typically distinguished by smooth Mira-like light curves), two cataclysmic variables and a carbon star. In total, we have added 19 new objects to the broad class of eruptive variable YSOs with episodic accretion. Eruptive variable YSOs in our sample that were observed at bright states show higher accretion luminosities than the rest of the sample. Most of the eruptive variables differ from the established FUor and EXor subclasses, showing intermediate outburst durations and a mixture of their spectroscopic characteristics. This is in line with a small number of other recent discoveries. Since these previously atypical objects are now the majority amongst embedded members of the class, we propose a new classification for them as MNors. This term (pronounced emnor) follows V1647 Ori, the illuminating star of McNeil's Nebula.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1093/mnras/stw2802
Uncontrolled keywords: Centre for Astrophysics and Planetary Sciences, stars: AGB and post-AGB, stars: low-mass, stars: pre-main-sequence, stars: protostars, stars: variables: T Tauri, Herbig Ae/Be, infrared: stars
Subjects: Q Science > QB Astronomy > QB460 Astrophysics
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Physics and Astronomy
Depositing User: Dirk Froebrich
Date Deposited: 07 Nov 2016 10:45 UTC
Last Modified: 10 Dec 2022 06:39 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/58437 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)
  • Depositors only (login required):

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year