Measuring the Density Structure of an Accretion Hot Spot

Magnetospheric accretion models predict that matter from protoplanetary disks accretes onto the star via funnel flows which follow the stellar field lines and shock on the stellar surface leaving a hot spot with a density gradient. Previous work has inferred different densities in the hot spot, but has not been sensitive to the radial density distribution. Attempts have been made to measure this with X-ray observations, but X-ray emission only traces a fraction of the hot spot and also coronal emission. Here we report periodic ultraviolet and optical light curves of the accreting star GM Aur that display a time lag of about 1 day between their peaks. The periodicity arises as the source of the ultraviolet and optical emission moves into and out of view as it rotates along with the star. The time-lag indicates a difference in the spatial distribution of ultraviolet and optical brightness over the stellar surface. Within the framework of the magnetospheric accretion model, this indicates a radial density gradient in a hot spot on the stellar surface since different density parts of the hot spot are expected to emit radiation at different wavelengths. These results are the first observational confirmation of the magnetospheric accretion models prediction of a density gradient in the hot spot and demonstrate the insights gained from focusing on the wavelengths where the bulk of the accretion energy can be observed.

The ALPINE-ALMA [CII] survey: The contribution of major mergers to the galaxy mass assembly at z~5

Galaxy mergers are thought to be one of the main mechanisms of the mass assembly of galaxies. Recently, many works have suggested a possible increase in the fraction of major mergers in the early Universe, reviving the debate on which processes (e.g., cold accretion, star formation, mergers) most contribute to the mass build-up of galaxies through cosmic time. To estimate the importance of major mergers in this context, we make use of the new data collected by the ALMA Large Program to INvestigate [CII] at Early times (ALPINE), which observed the [CII] 158 $mu$m emission line from a sample of 75 main-sequence star-forming galaxies at 4.4 < z < 5.9. We used, for the first time, the morpho-kinematic information provided by the [CII] emission to obtain the fraction of major mergers ($f_{MM}$) at z~5. By adopting different prescriptions for the merger timescales ($T_{MM}$), we converted this fraction into the merger rate per galaxy ($R_{MM}$) and per volume ($Gamma_{MM}$). We then combined our results with those at lower redshifts from the literature, computing the cosmic evolution of the merger fraction. This is described by a rapid increase from z~0 to higher redshifts, a peak at z~3, and a slow decrease towards earlier epochs. Depending on the timescale prescription used, this fraction translates into a merger rate ranging between ~0.1 and ~4.0 Gyr$^{-1}$ at z~5. Finally, we compare the specific star formation and star-formation rate density with the analogous quantities from major mergers. Our new ALPINE data reveal the presence of a significant merging activity in the early Universe. However, whether this population of mergers can provide a relevant contribution to the galaxy mass assembly at these redshifts and through the cosmic epochs is strongly dependent on the assumption of the merger timescale.

The ALPINE-ALMA [CII] Survey: Kinematic Diversity & Rotation in Massive Star Forming Galaxies at z~4.4-5.9

While the kinematics of galaxies up to z~3 have been characterized in detail, only a handful of galaxies at high redshift (z>4) have been examined in such a way. The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) Large Program to INvestigate [CII] at Early times (ALPINE) survey observed a statistically significant sample of 118 star-forming main sequence galaxies at z=4.4-5.9 in [CII]158um emission, increasing the number of such observations by nearly 10x. A preliminary qualitative classification of these sources revealed a diversity of kinematic types (i.e., rotators, mergers, and dispersion-dominated systems). In this work, we supplement the initial classification by applying quantitative analyses to the ALPINE data: a tilted ring model (TRM) fitting code (3DBarolo), a morphological classification (Gini-M20), and a set of disk identification criteria. Of the 75 [CII]-detected ALPINE galaxies, 29 are detected at sufficient significance and spatial resolution to allow for TRM fitting and the derivation of morphological and kinematic parameters. These 29 sources constitute a high-mass subset of the ALPINE sample (M_*>10^9.5Msol). We robustly classify 14 of these sources (six rotators, five mergers, and three dispersion-dominated systems); the remaining sources showing complex behaviour. By exploring the G-M20 of z>4 rest-frame FIR and [CII] data for the first time, we find that our 1~6kpc resolution data alone are insufficient to separate galaxy types. We compare the rotation curves and dynamical mass profiles of the six ALPINE rotators to the two previously detected z~4-6 unlensed main sequence rotators, finding high rotational velocities (~50-250km/s) and a diversity of rotation curve shapes.

Modulated accretion in T Tauri star RY Tau -- stable MHD propeller or a planet at 0.2 AU?

Planets are thought to form at the early stage of stellar evolution when the mass accretion is still ongoing. RY Tau is a T Tauri type star at the age of a few Myr, with accretion disc seen at high inclination, so that line of sight crosses both the wind and the accretion gas flows. In a long series of spectroscopic monitoring of the star in 2013-2020, we detected variations in H-alpha and NaI D absorptions at radial velocities of infall (accretion) and outflow (wind) with a period of about 22 days. The absorptions in the infalling and the outflowing gas streams vary in anti-phase: an increase of infall is accompanied by a decrease of outflow, and vice versa. These flip-flop oscillations retain phase over several years of observations. We suggest that this may result from the MHD processes at the disk-magnetosphere boundary in the propeller mode. Another possibility is that a massive planet modulates some processes in the disc and provides the observed effects. The period, if Keplerian, corresponds to a distance of 0.2 AU, which is close to the dust sublimation radius in this star. The presence of the putative planet may be confirmed by radial velocity measurements: expected amplitude is > 90 m/s if a planet mass is > 2 Mj.

3D MHD Simulations of Accretion onto Stars with Tilted Magnetic and Rotational Axes

We present results of global three-dimensional (3D) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of accretion onto magnetized stars where both the magnetic and rotational axes of the star are tilted about the rotational axis of the disc. We observed that initially the inner parts of the disc are warped, tilted, and process due to the magnetic interaction between the magnetosphere and the disc. Later, larger tilted discs form with the size increasing with the magnetic moment of the star. The normal vector to the discs are tilted at different angles, from 5-10 degrees up to 30-40 degrees. Small tilts may result from the winding of the magnetic field lines about the rotational axis of the star and the action of the magnetic force which tends to align the disc. Another possible explanation is the magnetic Bardeen-Petterson effect in which the disc settles in the equatorial plane of the star due to precessional and viscous torques in the disc. Tilted discs slowly precess with the time scale of the order of 50 Keplerian periods at the reference radius (approx. 3 stellar radii). Our results can be applied to different types of stars where signs of tilted discs and/or slow precession have been observed.

The Lyman continuum escape fraction and the Mean Free Path of hydrogen ionizing photons for bright z~4 QSOs from SDSS DR14

One of the major challenges in observational cosmology is related to the redshift evolution of the average hydrogen ionization in the Universe. In order to probe the ionization level of the IGM and the ionization capabilities of bright QSOs at z=4, we have selected a sample of 2508 QSOs from the SDSS survey (DR14) at 3.6<z<4.6 and -29.0<M1450<-26.0. Starting from UV/optical rest-frame spectra of the whole QSO sample, we estimate the escape fraction and free path individually for each of them. We calculate the Lyman Continuum (LyC) escape fraction as the flux ratio blue-ward (~900 A rest-frame) and red-ward (~930 A rest-frame) of the Lyman limit. We then obtain the probability distribution function (PDF) of the individual free paths of the QSOs in the sample and study its evolution in luminosity and redshift, comparing our results with the ones found in literature so far. We find a lower limit to the mean LyC escape fraction of 0.49, in agreement with the values obtained for both brighter and fainter sources at the same redshift. We show that the free paths of ionizing photons are characterized by a skewed distribution function peaked at low values, with an average of ~49-59 proper Mpc at z~4, after excluding possible associated absorbers. This value is larger than the one obtained at the same redshift by many authors in the literature using different techniques. Finally, we also find that the redshift evolution of this parameter results to be possibly milder than previously thought. Our new determination of the mean free path at z~4 implies that previous estimates of the HI photo-ionization rate Gamma_HI available in the literature should be corrected by a factor of 1.2-1.7. These results have important implications if extrapolated at the epoch of reionization.

Comparisons of MHD Propeller Model with Observations of Cataclysmic Variable AE Aqr

We have developed a numerical MHD model of the propeller candidate star AE Aqr using axisymmetric magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) simulations. We suggest that AE Aqr is an intermediate polar-type star, where the magnetic field is relatively weak and an accretion disc may form around the white dwarf. The star is in the propeller regime, and many of its observational properties are determined by the disc-magnetosphere interaction. Comparisons of the characteristics of the observed versus modelled AE Aqr star show that the model can explain many observational properties of AE Aqr. In a representative model, the magnetic field of the star is Bapprox 3.3x10^5 G and the time averaged accretion rate in the disc is 5.5times 10^{16} g/s. Most of this matter is ejected into conically-shaped winds. The numerical model explains the rapid spin-down of AE Aqr through the outflow of angular momentum from the surface of the star to the wind, corona and disc. The energy budget in the outflows, 9x10^{33} erg/s, is sufficient for explaining the observed flaring radiation in different wavebands. The time scale of ejections into the wind matches the short time scale variability in the light curves of AE Aqr.

Boundary between Stable and Unstable Regimes of Accretion. Ordered and Chaotic Unstable Regimes

We present a study of the Rayleigh-Taylor unstable regime of accretion onto rotating magnetized stars in a set of high grid resolution three-dimensional (3D) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations performed in low-viscosity discs. We find that the boundary between the stable and unstable regimes is determined almost entirely by the fastness parameter omega_s=Omega_star/Omega_K(r_m), where Omega_star is the angular velocity of the star and Omega_K(r_m) is the angular velocity of the Keplerian disc at the disc-magnetosphere boundary r=r_m. We found that accretion is unstable if omega_s < 0.6. Accretion through instabilities is present in stars with different magnetospheric sizes. However, only in stars with relatively small magnetospheres, r_m/R_star < 7, do the unstable tongues produce chaotic hot spots on the stellar surface and irregular light-curves. At even smaller values of the fastness parameter, omega_s < 0.45, multiple irregular tongues merge, forming one or two ordered unstable tongues that rotate with the angular frequency of the inner disc. This transition occurs in stars with even smaller magnetospheres, r_m/R_star < 4.2. Most of our simulations were performed at a small tilt of the dipole magnetosphere, Theta=5 degrees, and a small viscosity parameter alpha=0.02. Test simulations at higher alpha values show that many more cases become unstable, and the light-curves become even more irregular. Test simulations at larger tilts of the dipole Theta show that instability is present, however, accretion in two funnel streams dominates if Theta > 15 degrees. The results of these simulations can be applied to accreting magnetized stars with relatively small magnetospheres: Classical T Tauri stars, accreting millisecond X-ray pulsars, and cataclysmics variables.

MHD Simulations of Magnetospheric Accretion, Ejection and Plasma-field Interaction

We review recent axisymmetric and three-dimensional (3D) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) numerical simulations of magnetospheric accretion, plasma-field interaction and outflows from the disk-magnetosphere boundary.

Oscillations of the Boundary Layer and High-frequency QPOs

We observed persistent high-frequency oscillations of the boundary layer near an accreting, weakly-magnetized star in global 3D MHD simulations. The tilted dipole magnetic field is not strong enough to open a gap between the star and the disk. Instead, it forms a highly-wrapped azimuthal field near the surface of the star which slows down rotation of the disk matter, while a small tilt of the field excites oscillations of the boundary layer with a frequency below the Keplerian frequency. This mechanism may be responsible for the high-frequency oscillations in accreting neutron stars, white dwarfs and classical T Tauri stars.