NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010A-0251
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010A-0251 |
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PI: Brian Donehew, Clemson University, briand@clemson.edu
Address: Physics Department, 118 Kinard Laboratory, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, USA
CoI: Sean Brittain, Clemson University
Title: Balmer Discontinuity Veiling as a measure of Mass Accretion Rates in Herbig Ae/Be stars
Abstract:
Mass accretion rate is an important parameter in modeling the
atmosphere and structure of the circumstellar disk surrounding a Herbig
Ae/Be star. Accurate measurement of the mass accretion rate can also
help determine if the magneto-accretion model for T Tauri stars, in
which the magnetic field of the T Tauri star mediates accretion, is a
viable model for Herbig Ae/Be stars. Unfortunately, the standard
methods for measuring mass accretion in T Tauri stars are generally not
useable for Herbig Ae/Be stars. However, Garrison (1978) observed that
the Balmer Discontinuity for Herbig Ae/Be stars is weaker than for
normal Main Sequence stars of the same spectral type, and suggested that
this is due to veiling from the mass accretion luminosity. Muzerolle
(2004) calculated the theoretical veiling due to mass accretion
luminosity for a typical Herbig Ae/Be star undergoing magneto-accretion.
Using Muzerolle's work as a model, it is possible to determine the mass
accretion rates of Herbig Ae/Be stars by measuring the strength of the
Balmer Discontinuity. Also, Br-gamma luminosity correlates with mass
accretion luminosity in T Tauri stars, and we wish to test the
applicability of this correlation to Herbig Ae/Be stars.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010A-0251 |
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