Evidence for Accretion: High-Resolution X-Ray Spectroscopy of the Classical T Tauri Star TW Hydrae
Abstract
We present high-resolution X-ray spectra of the X-ray-bright classical T Tauri star, TW Hydrae, covering the wavelength range of 1.5-25 Å. The differential emission measure derived from fluxes of temperature-sensitive emission lines shows a plasma with a sharply peaked temperature distribution, peaking at log T=6.5. Abundance anomalies are apparent, with iron very deficient relative to oxygen, while neon is enhanced relative to oxygen. Density-sensitive line ratios of Ne IX and O VII indicate densities near log ne=13. A flare with rapid (~1 ks) rise time was detected during our 48 ks observation; however, based on analysis of the emission-line spectrum during quiescent and flaring states, the derived plasma parameters do not seem strongly time-dependent. The inferred plasma temperature distribution and densities are consistent with a model in which the bulk of the X-ray emission from TW Hya is generated via mass accretion from its circumstellar disk. Assuming that accretion powers the X-ray emission, our results for log ne suggest an accretion rate of ~10-8 Msolar yr-1.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- March 2002
- DOI:
- 10.1086/338419
- arXiv:
- arXiv:astro-ph/0111049
- Bibcode:
- 2002ApJ...567..434K
- Keywords:
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- Stars: Circumstellar Matter;
- Stars: Formation;
- Stars: Individual: Constellation Name: TW Hydrae;
- X-Rays: Stars;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 14 pages, 6 figures