XZ Tau Research Articles

The environment around young eruptive stars. SPHERE/IRDIS polarimetric imaging of seven protostars

Eruptive stars are a class of young stellar objects that show an abrupt increase in luminosity. These burst-like episodes are thought to dominate the stellar accretion process during the class 0 to class I stage. We present an overview of a survey of seven episodically accreting protostars carried out to study their potentially complex circumstellar surroundings. The observations were performed with the instrument SPHERE, mounted at the Very Large Telescope. SPHERE is equipped with an extreme adaptive optics system that allows high-contrast imaging. We observed the eruptive stars in the $H$ band with the near-infrared imager IRDIS and used the polarimeter to extract the polarized light scattered from the stars' surroundings. We produced polarized light images for three FUor objects, Z CMa, V960 Mon, and FU Ori, and four EXor objects, XZ Tau, UZ Tau, NY Ori, and EX Lup. We calculated the intrinsic polarization fraction for all the observed stars. In all systems we registered scattered light from around the primary star. FU Ori and V960 Mon are surrounded by complex structures, including spiral-like features. In Z CMa, we detected a point source 0 to the northeast of the primary. Based on the astrometric measurements from archival Keck/NIRC2 data, we find this source to be a third member of the system. Furthermore, Z CMa displays an outflow that extends for thousands of au. Unlike the other EXor objects in our sample, XZ Tau shows bright, extended scattered light structures that are also associated with an outflow on a scale of hundreds of au. The other EXors show relatively faint disk-like structures in the immediate vicinity of the coronagraph. Each object shows a unique environment, but we classified the seven objects into three categories: systems with illuminated outflows, asymmetric arms, and faint disks. Asymmetric arms were only found around FUor objects, while faint disks seem to predominantly occur around EXors. Importantly, for Z CMa the detection of the faint extended structure calls into question previous interpretations of the system's dynamic state. The streamer that was associated with a fly-by object turned out to be part of a huge outflow extending 6000 au.

Initial Results of our Spectro-photometric Monitoring of XZ Tau

We present here initial results of our spectro-photometric monitoring of XZ Tau. During our monitoring period, XZ Tau exhibited several episodes of brightness variations in timescales of months at optical wavelengths in contrast to the mid-infrared wavelengths. The color evolution of XZ Tau during this period suggests that the brightness variations are driven by changes in accretion from the disc. The mid-infrared light curve shows an overall decline in brightness by ∼ 0.5 and 0.7 magnitude respectively in WISE W1 (3.4 μm) and W2 (4.6 μm) bands. The emission profile of the hydrogen recombination lines along with that of Ca II IRT lines points towards magnetospheric accretion of XZ Tau. We have detected P Cygni profile in Hβ indicating of out-flowing winds from regions close to accretion. Forbidden transitions of oxygen are also detected, likely indicating jets originating around the central pre-main sequence star.

Stable Coronal X-Ray Emission over 20 yr of XZ Tau

XZ Tau AB is a frequently observed binary young stellar object in the Taurus Molecular Cloud; XZ Tau B has been classified as an EXOr object. We present new Chandra/HETG-ACIS-S observations of XZ Tau AB, complemented with variability monitoring of the system with XMM-Newton, to constrain the variability of this system and identify high-resolution line diagnostics to better understand the underlying mechanisms that produce the X-rays. We observe two flares with XMM-Newton but find that outside of these flares the coronal X-ray spectrum of XZ Tau AB is consistent over 20 yr of observations. We compare the ensemble of XZ Tau AB X-ray observations over time with the scatter across stars observed in point-in-time observations of the Orion Nebula Cluster and find that both overlap in terms of plasma properties, i.e., some of the scatter observed in the X-ray properties of stellar ensembles stems from intrinsic source variability.

EXORCISM: A Spectroscopic Survey of Young Eruptive Variables (EXor and Candidates)

We present an optical/near-IR survey of 11 variable young stars (EXors and EXor candidates) aimed at deriving and monitoring their accretion properties. About 30 optical and near-infrared spectra () were collected between 2014 and 2019 with the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT). From the spectral analysis we have derived the accretion luminosity (L acc ) and mass accretion rate ( ), the visual extinction (A V), the temperature and density of the permitted line formation region (T, n H), and the signature of the outflowing matter. Two sources (ASASSN-13db and iPTF15afq) have been observed in outburst and quiescence, three during a high level of brightness (XZ Tau, PV Cep, and NY Ori), and the others in quiescence. These latter have L acc and in line with the values measured in classical T Tauri stars of similar mass. All sources observed more than once present L acc and variability. The most extreme case is ASASSN-13db, for which decreases by two orders of magnitude from the outburst peak in 2015 to quiescence in 2017. Also, in NY Ori L acc decreases by a factor 25 in one year. In 80% of the sample we detect the [O i] 6300 Å line, a tracer of mass loss. From the variability of the Hα/[O i] 6300 Å ratio, we conclude that mass accretion variations are larger than mass loss variations. From the analysis of the H i recombination lines, a correlation is suggested between the density of the line formation region, and the level of accretion activity of the source.

Misaligned Circumstellar Disks and Orbital Motion of the Young Binary XZ Tau

Abstract We report our analyses of the multi-epoch (2015–2017) Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) archival data of the Class II binary system XZ Tau at Bands 3, 4, and 6. The millimeter dust-continuum images show compact, unresolved (r ≲ 15 au) circumstellar disks (CSDs) around the individual binary stars, XZ Tau A and B, with a projected separation of ∼39 au. The 12CO (2–1) emission associated with those CSDs traces the Keplerian rotations, whose rotational axes are misaligned with each other (P.A. ∼ −5° for XZ Tau A and ∼130° for XZ Tau B). The similar systemic velocities of the two CSDs (V LSR ∼ 6.0 km s−1) suggest that the orbital plane of the binary stars is close to the plane of the sky. From the multi-epoch ALMA data, we have also identified the relative orbital motion of the binary. Along with the previous NIR data, we found that the elliptical orbit (e = 0.742 − 0.034 + 0.025 , a = 0 .″ 172 − 0 .″ 003 + 0 .″ 002 , and ω = − 54 .° 2 − 4 .° 7 + 2 .° 0 ) is preferable to the circular orbit. Our results suggest that the two CSDs and the orbital plane of the XZ Tau system are all misaligned with each other, and possible mechanisms to produce such a configuration are discussed. Our analyses of the multi-epoch ALMA archival data demonstrate the feasibility of time-domain science with ALMA.

X-Ray Emission and Disk Irradiation of HL Tau and HD 100546

Abstract We present new X-ray observations of the optically obscured protostar HL Tau and the intermediate-mass Herbig Be star HD 100546. Both objects are surrounded by spectacular disks showing complex morphology, including rings and gaps that may have been sculpted by protoplanets. HL Tau was detected as a variable hard X-ray source by Chandra, typical of late-type magnetically active coronal sources. No extended X-ray emission was seen along the HL Tau jet, or along the jet of the T Tauri binary system XZ Tau located 23″ to its east. In contrast, HD 100546 was detected by XMM-Newton as a soft X-ray source (kT ≲ 1 keV) with no short-term (<1 day) variability. Its X-ray properties are remarkably similar to the Herbig stars AB Aur and HD 163296, strongly suggesting that their X-ray emission arises from the same mechanism and is intrinsic to the Herbig stars themselves, not due to unseen late-type companions. We consider several possible emission mechanisms and conclude that the X-ray properties of HD 100546 are consistent with an accretion shock origin, but higher resolution grating spectra capable of providing information on individual emission lines are needed to more reliably distinguish between accretion shocks and alternatives. We show that X-ray ionization and heating are mainly confined to the upper disk layers in both HL Tau and HD 100546, and any exoplanets near the midplane at distances ≥1 au are well-shielded from X-rays produced by the central star.

Signs of outflow feedback from a nearby young stellar object on the protostellar envelope around HL Tauri

Aims. HL Tau is a Class I–II protostar embedded in an infalling and rotating envelope and possibly associated with a planet forming disk, and it is co-located in a 0.1 pc molecular cloud with two nearby young stellar objects with projected distance of ~20′′–30′′ (2800–4200 au) to HL Tau. Our observations with the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) revealed two arc-like structures on a 1000 au scale connected to the disk, and their kinematics could not be explained with any conventional model of infalling and rotational motions. In this work, we investigate the nature of these arc-like structures connected to the HL Tau disk. Methods. We carried out new observations in the 13CO and C18O (3–2; 2–1) lines with the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope and the IRAM 30m telescope, and obtained the data with the 7-m array of the Atacama Compact Array (ACA). With the single-dish, ACA, and ALMA data, we analyzed the gas motions on both 0.1 pc and 1000 au scales in the HL Tau region. We constructed new kinematical models of an infalling and rotating envelope with the consideration of relative motion between HL Tau and the envelope. Results. By including the relative motion between HL Tau and its protostellar envelope, our kinematical model can explain the observed velocity features in the arc-like structures. The morphologies of the arc-like structures can also be explained with an asymmetric initial density distribution in our model envelope. In addition, our single-dish results support the scenario that HL Tau is located at the edge of a largescale (0.1 pc) expanding shell driven by the wind or outflow from XZ Tau, as suggested in the literature. The estimated expanding velocity of the shell is comparable to the relative velocity between HL Tau and its envelope in our kinematical model. These results hint that the largescale expanding motion likely impacts the protostellar envelope around HL Tau and affects its gas kinematics. We found that the mass infalling rate from the envelope onto the HL Tau disk can be decreased by a factor of two due to this impact by the largescale expanding shell.

1000 au exterior arcs connected to the protoplanetary disk around HL Tauri

The protoplanetary disk around HL Tau is so far the youngest candidate of planet formation, and it is still embedded in a protostellar envelope with a size of thousands of au. In this work, we study the gas kinematics in the envelope and its possible influence on the embedded disk. We present our new ALMA cycle 3 observational results of HL Tau in the 13CO (2-1) and C18O (2-1) emission at resolutions of 0.8" (110 au), and we compare the observed velocity pattern with models of different kinds of gas motions. Both the 13CO and C18O emission lines show a central compact component with a size of 2" (280 au), which traces the protoplanetary disk. The disk is clearly resolved and shows a Keplerian motion, from which the protostellar mass of HL Tau is estimated to be 1.8+/-0.3 M$_\odot$, assuming the inclination angle of the disk to be 47 deg from the plane of the sky. The 13CO emission shows two arc structures with sizes of 1000-2000 au and masses of 3E-3 M$_\odot$ connected to the central disk. One is blueshifted and stretches from the northeast to the northwest, and the other is redshifted and stretches from the southwest to the southeast. We find that simple kinematical models of infalling and (counter-)rotating flattened envelopes cannot fully explain the observed velocity patterns in the arc structures. The gas kinematics of the arc structures can be better explained with three-dimensional infalling or outflowing motions. Nevertheless, the observed velocity in the northwestern part of the blueshifted arc structure is ~60-70% higher than the expected free-fall velocity. We discuss two possible origins of the arc structures: (1) infalling flows externally compressed by an expanding shell driven by XZ Tau and (2) outflowing gas clumps caused by gravitational instabilities in the protoplanetary disk around HL Tau.

A DWARF TRANSITIONAL PROTOPLANETARY DISK AROUND XZ TAU B

ABSTRACT We report the discovery of a dwarf protoplanetary disk around the star XZ Tau B that shows all the features of a classical transitional disk but on a much smaller scale. The disk has been imaged with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), revealing that its dust emission has a quite small radius of ∼3.4 au and presents a central cavity of ∼1.3 au in radius that we attribute to clearing by a compact system of orbiting (proto)planets. Given the very small radii involved, evolution is expected to be much faster in this disk (observable changes in a few months) than in classical disks (observable changes requiring decades) and easy to monitor with observations in the near future. From our modeling we estimate that the mass of the disk is large enough to form a compact planetary system.

Orbital motions and light curves of young binaries XZ Tau and VY Tau

The results of our speckle interferometric observations of young binaries VY Tau and XZ Tau are presented. For the first time, we found a relative displacement of VY Tau components as well as a preliminary orbit for XZ Tau. It appeared that the orbit is appreciably non-circular and is inclined by $i \lesssim 47^o$ from the plane of the sky. It means that the rotation axis of XZ Tau A and the axis of its jet are significantly non-perpendicular to the orbital plane. We found that the average brightness of XZ Tau had been increasing from the beginning of the last century up to the mid-thirties and then it decreased by $\Delta B > 2$ mag. The maximal brightness has been reached significantly later on the time of periastron passage. The total brightness of XZ Tau's components varied in a non-regular way from 1970 to 1985 when eruptions of hot gas from XZ Tau A presumably had occurred. In the early nineties the variations became regular following which a chaotic variability had renewed. We also report that a flare activity of VY Tau has resumed after 40 yr pause, parameters of the previous and new flares are similar, and the flares are related with the A component.

ORIGIN AND KINEMATICS OF THE ERUPTIVE FLOW FROM XZ TAU REVEALED BY ALMA

We present high angular resolution ($\sim$0.94$"$) $^{12}$CO(1-0) Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations obtained during the 2014 long baseline campaign from the eruptive bipolar flow from the multiple XZ Tau stellar system discovered by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). These observations reveal, for the first time, the kinematics of the molecular flow. The kinematics of the different ejections close to XZ Tau reveal a rotating and expanding structure with a southeast-northwest velocity gradient. The youngest eruptive bubbles unveiled in the optical HST images are inside of this molecular expanding structure. Additionally, we report a very compact and collimated bipolar outflow emanating from XZ Tau A, which indicates that the eruptive outflow is indeed originating from this object. The mass (3 $\times$ 10$^{-7}$ $M_\odot$) and energetics (E$_{kin}$ $=$ 3 $\times$ 10$^{37}$ ergs) for the collimated outflow are comparable with those found in molecular outflows associated with young brown dwarfs.

THE 2014 ALMA LONG BASELINE CAMPAIGN: FIRST RESULTS FROM HIGH ANGULAR RESOLUTION OBSERVATIONS TOWARD THE HL TAU REGION

We present Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations from the 2014 Long Baseline Campaign in dust continuum and spectral line emission from the HL Tau region. The continuum images at wavelengths of 2.9, 1.3, and 0.87 mm have unprecedented angular resolutions of 0.075 arcseconds (10 AU) to 0.025 arcseconds (3.5 AU), revealing an astonishing level of detail in the circumstellar disk surrounding the young solar analogue HL Tau, with a pattern of bright and dark rings observed at all wavelengths. By fitting ellipses to the most distinct rings, we measure precise values for the disk inclination (46.72pm0.05 degrees) and position angle (+138.02pm0.07 degrees). We obtain a high-fidelity image of the 1.0 mm spectral index ($\alpha$), which ranges from $\alpha\sim2.0$ in the optically-thick central peak and two brightest rings, increasing to 2.3-3.0 in the dark rings. The dark rings are not devoid of emission, we estimate a grain emissivity index of 0.8 for the innermost dark ring and lower for subsequent dark rings, consistent with some degree of grain growth and evolution. Additional clues that the rings arise from planet formation include an increase in their central offsets with radius and the presence of numerous orbital resonances. At a resolution of 35 AU, we resolve the molecular component of the disk in HCO+ (1-0) which exhibits a pattern over LSR velocities from 2-12 km/s consistent with Keplerian motion around a ~1.3 solar mass star, although complicated by absorption at low blue-shifted velocities. We also serendipitously detect and resolve the nearby protostars XZ Tau (A/B) and LkHa358 at 2.9 mm.

Triple trouble for XZ Tau: deep imaging with the Jansky Very Large Array

We present new observations of the XZ Tau system made at high angular resolution (55 milliarcsec) with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) at a wavelength of 7 mm. Observations of XZ Tau made with the VLA in 2004 appeared to show a triple system, with XZ Tau A resolved into two sources, XZ Tau A and XZ Tau C. The angular separation of XZ Tau A and C (0.09 arcsec) suggested a projected orbital separation of around 13 AU with a possible orbital period of around 40 yr. Our observations were obtained approximately 8 yr later, a fifth of this putative orbital period, and should therefore allow us to constrain the orbit of XZ Tau C, and evaluate the possibility that a recent periastron passage of C coincided with the launch of extended optical outflows from XZ Tau A. Despite improved sensitivity and resolution compared with previous observations, we find no evidence of XZ Tau C in our data. Components A and B are detected with a signal-to-noise ratio greater than ten; their orbits are consistent with previous studies, although the emission from XZ Tau A appears to be weaker. Three possible interpretations are offered: either XZ Tau C is transiting XZ Tau A, which is broadly consistent with the periastron passage hypothesis, or the emission seen in 2004 was that of a transient, or XZ Tau C does not exist. A fourth interpretation, that XZ Tau C was ejected from the system, is dismissed due to the lack of angular momentum redistribution in the orbits of XZ Tau A and XZ Tau B that would result from such an event. Our observations are insufficient to distinguish between the remaining possibilities, at least not until we obtain further VLA observations at a sufficiently later time. A further non-detection would allow us to reject the transit hypothesis, and the periastron passage of XZ Tau C as agent of XZ Tau A's outflows.

TIME VARIABILITY OF EMISSION LINES FOR FOUR ACTIVE T TAURI STARS. I. OCTOBER–DECEMBER IN 2010

We present optical spectrophotometric monitoring of four active T Tauri stars (DG Tau, RY Tau, XZ Tau, RW Aur A) at high spectral resolution ($R \ga 1 \times 10^4$), to investigate the correlation between time variable mass ejection seen in the jet/wind structure of the driving source and time variable mass accretion probed by optical emission lines. This may allow us to constrain the understanding of the jet/wind launching mechanism, the location of the launching region, and the physical link with magnetospheric mass accretion. In 2010, observations were made at six different epochs to investigate how daily and monthly variability might affect such a study. We perform comparisons between the line profiles we observed and those in the literature over a period of decades and confirm the presence of time variability separate from the daily and monthly variability during our observations. This is so far consistent with the idea that these line profiles have a long term variability (3-20 years) related to episodic mass ejection suggested by the structures in the extended flow components. We also investigate the correlations between equivalent widths and between luminosities for different lines. We find that these correlations are consistent with the present paradigm of steady magnetospheric mass accretion and emission line regions that are close to the star.

Kinematics and the origin of the internal structures in HL Tauri jet (HH 151)

Knotty structures of Herbig-Haro jets are common phenomena, and knowing the origin of these structures is essential for understanding the processes of jet formation. Basically, there are two theoretical approaches: different types of instabilities in stationary flow, and velocity variations in the flow. We investigate the structures with different radial velocities in the knots of the HL Tau jet as well as its unusual behaviour starting from 20 arcsec from the source. Collation of radial velocity data with proper motion measurements of emission structures in the jet of HL Tau makes it possible to understand the origin of these structures and decide on the mechanism for the formation of the knotty structures in Herbig-Haro flows. We present observations obtained with a 6 m telescope (Russia) using the SCORPIO camera with scanning Fabry-Perot interferometer. Two epochs of the observations of the HL/XZ Tau region in Halpha emission (2001 and 2007) allowed us to measure proper motions for high and low radial velocity structures. The structures with low and high radial velocities in the HL Tau jet show the same proper motion. The point where the HL Tau jet bents to the north (it coincides with the trailing edge of so-called knot A) is stationary, i.e. does not have any perceptible proper motion and is visible in Halpha emission only. We conclude that the high- and low- velocity structures in the HL Tau jet represent bow-shocks and Mach disks in the internal working surfaces of episodic outflows. The bend of the jet and the brightness increase starting some distance from the source coincides with the observed stationary deflecting shock. The increase of relative surface brightness of bow-shocks could be the result of the abrupt change of the physical conditions of the ambient medium as well as the interaction of a highly collimated flow and the side wind from XZ Tau.

SPATIALLY EXTENDED BRACKETT GAMMA EMISSION IN THE ENVIRONMENTS OF YOUNG STARS

The majority of atomic hydrogen Br{\gamma} emission detected in the spectra of young stellar objects (YSOs) is believed to arise from the recombination regions associated with the magnetospheric accretion of circumstellar disk material onto the forming star. In this paper, we present the results of a K-band IFU spectroscopic study of Br{\gamma} emission in eight young protostars: CW Tau, DG Tau, Haro 6-10, HL Tau, HV Tau C, RW Aur, T Tau and XZ Tau. We spatially resolve Br{\gamma} emission structures in half of these young stars and find that most of the extended emission is consistent with the location and velocities of the known Herbig-Haro flows associated with these systems. At some velocities through the Br{\gamma} line profile, the spatially extended emission comprises 20% or more of the integrated flux in that spectral channel. However, the total spatially extended Br{\gamma} is typically less than ~10% of the flux integrated over the full emission profile. For DG Tau and Haro 6-10 S, we estimate the mass outflow rate using simple assumptions about the hydrogen emission region, and compare this to the derived mass accretion rate. We detect extended Br{\gamma} in the vicinity of the more obscured targets in our sample and conclude that spatially extended Br{\gamma} emission may exist toward other stars, but unattenuated photospheric flux probably limits its detectability.

High-Resolution Near-Infrared Images of the T Tauri Binary System XZ Tauri

Abstract We present a high-resolution ($\sim $0$.\prime\prime$1 $=$ 14 AU) $H$-band image of XZ Tau, a 0$.\prime\prime$ 3-separated classical T Tauri binary system, taken with the Coronagraphic Imager with Adaptive Optics (CIAO) on the Subaru Telescope. We found a scattered light nebula extending to $\sim $2$.\prime\prime$4 from the secondary, XZ Tau S, in the northeast region of the binary. Its surface brightness is $\sim $16.2 mag arcsec$^{-2}$ in the $H$-band, and decreases as $r^{-1.6 \pm 0.1}$. Combined with the HST/ACS polarimetric images and the [Fe ii] $\lambda$1.644 $\micron$ spectra taken with the Infrared Camera and Spectrograph (IRCS) on the Subaru Telescope, the elongated structure is identified as a wall of a cavity blown by the previously known blueshifted outflow. By a comparison with previous measurements, we estimated that the orbital period is 1010$ \pm $260 yr and the total mass of the binary is 0.62$ \pm $0.36$ M_{\odot}$. The observed $H$-band magnitudes of both the primary and the secondary varied by as much as 1 mag over this decade. These $H$-band inconstancies may arise from a variable accretion rate and changing extinction toward each component.

VARIATIONS OF THE 10 μm SILICATE FEATURES IN THE ACTIVELY ACCRETING T TAURI STARS: DG Tau AND XZ Tau

Using the Infrared Spectrograph aboard the Spitzer Space Telescope, we observed multiple epochs of 11 actively accreting T Tauri stars in the nearby Taurus-Auriga star forming region. In total, 88 low-resolution mid-infrared spectra were collected over 1.5 years in Cycles 2 and 3. The results of this multi-epoch survey show that the 10 um silicate complex in the spectra of two sources - DG Tau and XZ Tau - undergoes significant variations with the silicate feature growing both weaker and stronger over month- and year-long timescales. Shorter timescale variations on day- to week-long timescales were not detected within the measured flux errors. The time resolution coverage of this data set is inadequate for determining if the variations are periodic. Pure emission compositional models of the silicate complex in each epoch of the DG Tau and XZ Tau spectra provide poor fits to the observed silicate features. These results agree with those of previous groups that attempted to fit only single-epoch observations of these sources. Simple two-temperature, two-slab models with similar compositions successfully reproduce the observed variations in the silicate features. These models hint at a self-absorption origin of the diminution of the silicate complex instead of a compositional change in the population of emitting dust grains. We discuss several scenarios for producing such variability including disk shadowing, vertical mixing, variations in disk heating, and disk wind events associated with accretion outbursts.

HIGH ANGULAR RESOLUTION RADIO OBSERVATIONS OF THE HL/XZ TAU REGION: MAPPING THE 50 AU PROTOPLANETARY DISK AROUND HL TAU AND RESOLVING XZ TAU S INTO A 13 AU BINARY

We present new 7 mm and archive 1.3 cm high angular resolution observations of the HL/XZ Tau region made with the VLA. At 7 mm, the emission from HL Tau seems to be arising in a clumpy disk with radius of order 25 AU. The 1.3 cm emission from XZ Tau shows the emission from a binary system with 0"3 (42 AU) separation, known from previous optical/IR observations. However, at 7 mm, the southern radio component resolves into a binary with 0"09 (13 AU) separation, suggesting that XZ Tau is actually a triple star system. We suggest that the remarkable ejection of gas from the XZ Tau system observed with the HST may be related to a periastron passage of this newly discovered close binary system.

Enhanced dust emission in the HL Tau disc: a low-mass companion in formation?

Abstract We have imaged the disc of the young star HL Tau using the Very Large Array (VLA) at 1.3 cm, with 0.08-arcsec resolution (as small as the orbit of Jupiter). The disc is around half the stellar mass, assuming a canonical gas mass conversion from the measured mass in large dust grains. A simulation shows that such discs are gravitationally unstable, and can fragment at radii of a few tens of au to form planets. The VLA image shows a compact feature in the disc at 65 au radius (confirming the ‘nebulosity’ of Welch et al.), which is interpreted as a localized surface density enhancement representing a candidate protoplanet in its earliest accretion phase. If correct, this is the first image of a low-mass companion object seen together with the parent disc material out of which it is forming. The object has an inferred gas plus dust mass of ≈14 MJupiter, similar to the mass of a protoplanet formed in the simulation. The disc instability may have been enhanced by a stellar flyby: the proper motion of the nearby star XZ Tau shows it could have recently passed the HL Tau disc as close as ∼600 au.