Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph Observations of Variability in the RS Canum Venaticorum System V711 Tauri (HR 1099)
Abstract
Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph (GHRS) observations of the RS CVn-type binary V711 Tau (K1 IV + G5 IV) were obtained at several phases over two consecutive stellar orbital cycles in order to study ultraviolet emission-line profile and flux variability. Spectra cover the Mg II h and k lines, C IV doublet, and Si IV region, as well as the density-sensitive lines of C III] (1909 A) and Si III] (1892 A). lUE spectra, EUV data, and UBV photometry were obtained contemporaneously with the GHRS data. Variable extended wings were detected in the Mg II lines. We discuss the Mg II line profile variability using various Gaussian emission profile models. No rotational modulation of the line profiles was observed, but there were several large flares. These flares produced enhanced emission in the extended line wings, radial velocity shifts, and asymmetries in some line profiles. Nearly continuous flaring for more than 24 hr, as indicated in the lUE data, represents the most energetic and long-lived chromospheric and transition region flare ever observed with a total energy much greater than 5 x 1035 ergs. The C III] to Si III] line ratio is used to estimate the plasma density during the flares.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- October 1996
- DOI:
- 10.1086/177940
- Bibcode:
- 1996ApJ...470.1172D
- Keywords:
-
- LINE: PROFILES;
- STARS: CHROMOSPHERES;
- STARS: FLARE;
- STARS: INDIVIDUAL CONSTELLATION NAME: V711 TAURI;
- ULTRAVIOLET: STARS