The multiplicity of T Tauri stars in the star forming regions Taurus-Auriga and Ophiuchus-Scorpius: A 2.2 micron speckle imaging survey

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (584) References (61) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS The Multiplicity of T Tauri Stars in the Star Forming Regions Taurus-Auriga and Ophiuchus-Scorpius: A 2.2 Micron Speckle Imaging Survey Ghez, A. M. ; Neugebauer, G. ; Matthews, K. Abstract We present the results of a magnitude limited (K less than = 8.5 mag) speckle imaging survey of 69 T Tauri stars in the star forming regions Taurus-Auriga and Ophiuchus-Scorpius. Thirty-three companion stars were found with separations ranging from 0.07 sec to 2.5 sec, nine are new detections. This survey reveals a distinction between the classical T Tauri stars (CTTS) and the weak-lined T Tauri stars (WTTS) based on the binary star frequency as a function of separation: the WTTS binary star distribution is enhanced at the closer separations (less than 50 AU) relative to the CTTS binary star distribution. We suggest that the nearby companion stars shorten the accretion time scale in multiple star systems, thereby accounting for the presence of WTTS that are coeval with many CTTS. The binary star frequency in the projected linear separation range 16 to 252 AU for T Tauri stars (60 (+/- 17)%) is a factor of 4 greater than that of the solar-type main-sequence stars (16(+/- 3)%). Given the limited separation range of this survey, the rate at which binaries are detected suggests that most, if not all, T Tauri stars have companions. We propose that the observed overabundance of companions of T Tauri stars is an evolutionary effect, in which triple and higher order T Tauri stars are disrupted by close encounters with another star or system of stars. Publication: The Astronomical Journal Pub Date: November 1993 DOI: 10.1086/116782 Bibcode: 1993AJ....106.2005G Keywords: Companion Stars; Speckle Patterns; Star Formation; Stellar Evolution; T Tauri Stars; Astronomical Photometry; Image Analysis; Stellar Mass Accretion; Telescopes; Astronomy; STARS: EVOLUTION; STARS: PRE-MAIN SEQUENCE full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (76)