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Register a new user2-D simulations of FU Orionis disk outbursts
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We have developed time-dependent models of FU Ori accretion outbursts to explore the physical properties of protostellar disks. Our two-dimensional, axisymmetric models incorporate full vertical structure with a new treatment of the radiative boundary condition for the disk photosphere. We find that FU Ori-type outbursts can be explained by a slow accumulation of matter due to gravitational instability. Eventually this triggers the magnetorotational instability, which leads to rapid accretion. The thermal instability is triggered in the inner disk but this instability is not necessary for the outburst. An accurate disk vertical structure, including convection, is important for understanding the outburst behavior. Large convective eddies develop during the high state in the inner disk. The models are in agreement with Spitzer IRS spectra and also with peak accretion rates and decay timescales of observed outbursts, though some objects show faster rise timescale. We also propose that convection may account for the observed mild-supersonic turbulence and the short-timescale variations of FU Orionis objects.
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Aims. Accretion and luminosity bursts triggered by three distinct mechanisms: the magnetorotational instability in the inner disk regions, clump infall in gravitationally fragmented disks and close encounters with an intruder star, were studied to determine the disk kinematic characteristics that can help to distinguish between these burst mechanisms. Methods. Numerical hydrodynamics simulations in the thin-disk limit were employed to model the bursts in disk environments that are expected for each burst mechanism. Results. We found that the circumstellar disks featuring accretion bursts can bear kinematic features that are distinct for different burst mechanisms, which can be useful when identifying the burst origin. The disks in the stellar encounter and clump-infall models are characterized by tens of percent deviations from the Keplerian rotation, whie the disks in the MRI models are characterized only a few percent deviation, which is mostly caused by the gravitational instability that fuels the MRI bursts. Velocity channel maps also show distinct kinks and wiggles, which are caused by gas disk flows that are peculiar to each considered burst mechanism. The deviations of velocity channels in the burst-hosting disks from a symmetric pattern typical of Keplerian disks are strongest for the clump-infall and collision models, and carry individual features that may be useful for the identification of the corresponding burst mechanism. The considered burst mechanisms produce a variety of light curves with the burst amplitudes varying in the Delta m=2.5-3.7 limits, except for the clump-infall model where Delta m can reach 5.4, although the derived numbers may be affected by a small sample and boundary conditions. Conclusions. Burst triggering mechanisms are associated with distinct kinematic features in the burst-hosting disks that may be used for their identification. Abridged.
Context. FU Orionis is the archetypal FUor star, a subclass of young stellar object (YSO) that undergo rapid brightening events, often gaining 4-6 magnitudes on timescales of days. This brightening is often associated with a massive increase in accretion; one of the most ubiquitous processes in astrophysics from planets and stars to super-massive black holes. We present multi-band interferometric observations of the FU Ori circumstellar environment, including the first J-band interferometric observations of a YSO. Aims. We investigate the morphology and temperature gradient of the inner-most regions of the accretion disk around FU Orionis. We aim to characterise the heating mechanisms of the disk and comment on potential outburst triggering processes. Methods. Recent upgrades to the MIRC-X instrument at the CHARA array allowed the first dual-band J and H observations of YSOs.Using baselines up to 331 m, we present high angular resolution data of a YSO covering the near-infrared bands J, H, and K. The unprecedented spectral range of the data allows us to apply temperature gradient models to the innermost regions of FU Ori. Results. We spatially resolve the innermost astronomical unit of the disk and determine the exponent of the temperature gradient of the inner disk to $T=r^{-0.74pm0.02}$. This agrees with theoretical work that predicts $T = r^{-0.75}$ for actively accreting, steady state disks, a value only obtainable through viscous heating within the disk. We find a disk which extends down to the stellar surface at $0.015pm0.007$ au where the temperature is found to be $5800pm700$ K indicating boundary layer accretion. We find a disk inclined at $32pm4^circ$ with a minor-axis position angle of $34pm11^circ$.
During their formation phase stars gain most of their mass in violent episodic accretion events, such as observed in FU Orionis (FUor) and EXor stars. V346 Normae is a well-studied FUor that underwent a strong outburst beginning in $sim1980$. Here, we report photometric and spectroscopic observations which show that the visual/near-infrared brightness has decreased dramatically between the 1990s and 2010 (${Delta}Rapprox10.9^{rm m}$, ${Delta}Japprox7.8^{rm m}$, ${Delta}Kapprox5.8^{rm m}$). The spectral properties of this fading event cannot be explained with variable extinction alone, but indicate a drop in accretion rate by 2-3 orders of magnitude, marking the first time that a member of the FUor class has been observed to switch to a very low accretion phase. Remarkably, in the last few years (2011-2015) V346 Nor has brightened again at all near-infrared wavelengths, indicating the onset of a new outburst event. The observed behaviour might be consistent with the clustered luminosity bursts that have been predicted by recent gravitational instability and fragmentation models for the early stages of protostellar evolution. Given V346 Nors unique characteristics (concerning outburst duration, repetition frequency, and spectroscopic diagnostics), our results also highlight the need for revisiting the FUor/EXor classification scheme.
The variable star V1735 Cyg (= Elias 1-12) lies in the IC 5146 dark cloud and is a member of the class of FU Orionis objects whose dramatic optical brightenings are thought to be linked to episodic accretion. We report the first X-ray detections of V1735 Cyg and a deeply-embedded class I protostar lying 24 arcsecs to its northeast. X-ray spectra obtained with EPIC on XMM-Newton reveal very high-temperature plasma (kT > 5 keV) in both objects, but no large flares. Such hard X-ray emission is not anticipated from accretion shocks and is a signature of magnetic processes. We place these new results into the context of what is presently known about the X-ray properties of FU Orionis stars and other accreting young stellar objects.
By using the ALFA adaptive optics system at the 3.6m telescope of the Calar Alto Observatory we detected a faint red star in the apparent vicinity of FU Ori, the prototype of the FUor outburst stars. Independent confirmation of the detection is obtained from archival PUEO/CFHT images. The separation between the companion candidate and FU Ori is 0.50 and their brightness contrast is around 4 magnitudes. We discuss the possible nature of the newly detected star based on near-infrared photometry and its proper motion relative to FU Ori. The photometric data are consistent with a nearby late-type main sequence star, a background giant star, and a pre-main sequence star. On the basis of the proper motion and the stellar surface density in the direction towards FU Ori, we argue that the probabilities of the first two options are very low.
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