NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013B-0389
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013B-0389 |
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PI: James Muzerolle, Space Telescope Science Institute, muzerol@stsci.edu
Address: 3700 San Martin Dr., Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
CoI: Kevin Flaherty, University of Arizona
CoI: Zoltan Balog, MPIA
CoI: Tracy Beck, Space Telescope Science Institute
CoI: Elise Furlan, IPAC
CoI: Robert Gutermuth, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Title: Photometric Monitoring of Close Binary T Tauri Stars: Connecting Accretion Activity with Inner Disk Structure
Abstract:
We propose to monitor two spectroscopic binary T Tauri stars with
SMARTS/ANDICAM in order to characterize their optical and infrared
brightness as a function of orbital phase. Previous studies have shown
optical accretion pulses that correlate with periastron passages in some
objects; however, infrared data probing the dust content of the inner
disk regions are lacking. We have preliminary results for one binary
that suggest a possible sequence between dust emission traced by near
infrared photometry and gas accretion traced by optical photometry, and
hint at surprising behavior at longer timescales. We propose to obtain
longer-baseline observations in order to quantify the occurrence rate of
pulses and confirm a longer-term second periodicity that may be
associated with the circumbinary disk. We also want to add new
monitoring of another binary in order to explore a wider range of
stellar and orbital architectures. The proposed data, in combination
with separate observations at other facilities, will help elucidate the
nature of dynamical structures in circumbinary disks. This will
establish a framework for understanding general infrared variability
seen in most young stars, and is of great importance for understanding
planet formation processes in binary systems.
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 > 2013B-0389 |
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