X-ray and optical bursts and flares in YSOs: results from a 5-day XMM-Newton monitoring campaign of L1551
Abstract
We present the results of a five-day monitoring campaign with XMM-Newton of six X-ray bright young stellar objects (YSOs) in the star-forming complex L1551 in Taurus. All stars present significant variability on the five-day time scale. Modulation of the light curve on time scales comparable with the star's rotational period appeared to be present in the case of one weak-lined T Tauri star. Significant spectral variations between the 2000 and the 2004 observations were detected in the (unresolved) classical T Tauri binary system XZ Tau: a hot plasma component which was present in the X-ray spectrum in 2000 had significantly weakened in 2004. As XZ Tau N was undergoing a strong optical outburst in 2000, which had terminated since then, we speculate on the possible relationship between episodic, burst accretion, and X-ray heating. The transition object HL Tau underwent a strong flare with a complex temperature evolution, which is indicative of an event confined within a very large magnetic structure (few stellar radii), similar to the ones found in YSOs in the Orion Nebula Cluster.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- July 2006
- DOI:
- 10.1051/0004-6361:20053663
- arXiv:
- arXiv:astro-ph/0603630
- Bibcode:
- 2006A&A...453..241G
- Keywords:
-
- stars: pre-main sequence;
- X-rays: stars;
- stars: coronae;
- stars:;
- circumstellar matter;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 17 pages, 16 figures - Accepted for publication by A&