Another look at the UBV variability of T Tauri stars

Abstract

The UBV variability of classical T Tauri stars is investigated using a large data set compiled by Herbst et al. (1994). The analysis is based on the covariance of the UBV colors, which is independent of the obscuration and the temporal sampling, and is a powerful tool for finding trends that otherwise would be hidden in the complex time-dependence of the data. I find that there are two types of UBV variability and introduce the nomenclature 'ortho-' and 'para-UBV' variations, or in short 'type-O' and 'type-P' variations. Objects with a predominance of ortho-UBV variability show strong variability in both the Balmer and Paschen continua, whereas objects dominated by para-UBV changes vary mostly in the Paschen continuum. I show that type-O variations can be explained in terms of rotating spots, variable obscuration, or changes intrinsic to the source that obey the law Delta T(sub S)/T(sub S) varies as Delta n(sub H)/n(sub H), where T(sub S) and n(sub H) are, respectively, the gas temperature and the number density of hydrogen nuclei. Type-P variations can be explained only by changes intrinsic to the source with Delta T(sub S)/T(sub S) varies as - Delta n(sub H)/n(sub H), and I speculate on a possible origin for these changes. The covariance ellipse of the UBV colors is a versatile tool for studying the connection between variability and other spectral signatures of classical T Tauri stars; its use for this purpose is illustrated by studying the correlation between the presence of CO first-overtone bands in emission and the type of variability. I find that objects with CO band emission are also those with type-P variability and propose an observational test to validate this conclusion.