This work presents X-Shooter/Very Large Telescope spectra of the prototypical, isolated Herbig Ae stars HD 31648 (MWC 480) and HD 163296 over five epochs separated by timescales ranging from days to ...months. Each spectrum spans over a wide wavelength range covering from 310 to 2475 nm. We have monitored the continuum excess in the Balmer region of the spectra and the luminosity of 12 ultraviolet, optical, and near-infrared spectral lines that are commonly used as accretion tracers for T Tauri stars. The observed strengths of the Balmer excesses have been reproduced from a magnetospheric accretion shock model, providing a mean mass accretion rate of 1.11 x 10 super(-7) and 4.50 x 10 super(-7) M sub(middot in circle) yr super(-1) for HD 31648 and HD 163296, respectively. Accretion rate variations are observed, being more pronounced for HD 31648 (up to 0.5 dex). However, from the comparison with previous results it is found that the accretion rate of HD 163296 has increased by more than 1 dex, on a timescale of ~15 yr. Averaged accretion luminosities derived from the Balmer excess are consistent with the ones inferred from the empirical calibrations with the emission line luminosities, indicating that those can be extrapolated to HAe stars. In spite of that, the accretion rate variations do not generally coincide with those estimated from the line luminosities, suggesting that the empirical calibrations are not useful to accurately quantify accretion rate variability.
Context. Debris discs are thought to be formed through the collisional grinding of planetesimals, and then can be considered as the outcome of planet formation. Understanding the properties of gas ...and dust in debris discs can help us comprehend the architecture of extrasolar planetary systems. Herschel Space Observatory far-infrared (IR) photometry and spectroscopy have provided a valuable dataset for the study of debris discs gas and dust composition. This paper is part of a series of papers devoted to the study of Herschel-PACS observations of young stellar associations. Aims. This work aims at studying the properties of discs in the beta Pictoris moving group (BPMG) through far-IR PACS observations of dust and gas. Methods. We obtained Herschel-PACS far-IR photometric observations at 70, 100, and 160 μm of 19 BPMG members, together with spectroscopic observations for four of them. These observations were centred at 63.18 μm and 157 μm, aiming to detect OI and CII emission. We incorporated the new far-IR observations in the SED of BPMG members and fitted modified blackbody models to better characterise the dust content. Results. We have detected far-IR excess emission towards nine BPMG members, including the first detection of an IR excess towards HD 29391.The star HD 172555, shows OI emission, while HD 181296 shows CII emission, expanding the short list of debris discs with a gas detection. No debris disc in BPMG is detected in both OI and CII. The discs show dust temperatures in the range 55–264 K, with low dust masses (<6.6 × 10-5 M⊕ to 0.2 M⊕) and radii from blackbody models in the range 3 to ~82 AU. All the objects with a gas detection are early spectral type stars with a hot dust component.
Context. HD 100546 is one of the few known pre-main-sequence stars that may host a planetary system in its disk. Aims. This work aims to contribute to our understanding of HD 100546 by analyzing new ...polarimetric images with high spatial resolution. Methods. Using VLT/SPHERE/ZIMPOL with two filters in Hα and the adjacent continuum, we have probed the disk gap and the surface layers of the outer disk, covering a region <500 mas (<55 au at 109 pc) from the central star, at an angular resolution of ~20 mas. Results. Our data show an asymmetry: the SE and NW regions of the outer disk are more polarized than the SW and NE regions. This asymmetry can be explained from a preferential scattering angle close to 90° and is consistent with previous polarization images. The outer disk in our observations extends from 13 ± 2 to 45 ± 9 au, with a position angle and inclination of 137 ± 5° and 44 ± 8°, respectively. The comparison with previous estimates suggests that the disk inclination could increase with the stellocentric distance, although the different measurements are still consistent within the error bars. In addition, no direct signature of the innermost candidate companion is detected from the polarimetric data, confirming recent results that were based on intensity imagery. We set an upper limit to its mass accretion rate <10-8 M⊙ yr-1 for a substellar mass of 15 MJup. Finally, we report the first detection (>3σ) of a ~20 au bar-like structure that crosses the gap through the central region of HD 100546. Conclusions. In the absence of additional data, it is tentatively suggested that the bar could be dust dragged by infalling gas that radially flows from the outer disk to the inner region. This could represent an exceptional case in which a small-scale radial inflow is observed in a single system. If this scenario is confirmed, it could explain the presence of atomic gas in the inner disk that would otherwise accrete on to the central star on a timescale of a few months/years, as previously indicated from spectro-interferometric data, and could be related with additional (undetected) planets.
In this paper we investigate the origin of the mid-infrared (IR) hydrogen recombination lines for a sample of 114 disks in different evolutionary stages (full, transitional, and debris disks) ...collected from the Spitzer archive. We focus on the two brighter H I lines observed in the Spitzer spectra, the H I (7-6) at 12.37 μm and the H I (9-7) at 11.32 μm. We detect the H I (7-6) line in 46 objects, and the H I (9-7) in 11. We compare these lines with the other most common gas line detected in Spitzer spectra, the Ne II at 12.81 μm. We argue that it is unlikely that the H I emission originates from the photoevaporating upper surface layers of the disk, as has been found for the Ne II lines toward low-accreting stars. Using the H I (9-7)/H I (7-6) line ratios we find these gas lines are likely probing gas with hydrogen column densities of 10{sup 10}-10{sup 11} cm{sup –3}. The subsample of objects surrounded by full and transitional disks show a positive correlation between the accretion luminosity and the H I line luminosity. These two results suggest that the observed mid-IR H I lines trace gas accreting onto the star in the same way as other hydrogen recombination lines at shorter wavelengths. A pure chromospheric origin of these lines can be excluded for the vast majority of full and transitional disks. We report for the first time the detection of the H I (7-6) line in eight young (<20 Myr) debris disks. A pure chromospheric origin cannot be ruled out in these objects. If the H I (7-6) line traces accretion in these older systems, as in the case of full and transitional disks, the strength of the emission implies accretion rates lower than 10{sup –10} M {sub ☉} yr{sup –1}. We discuss some advantages of extending accretion indicators to longer wavelengths, and the next steps required pinning down the origin of mid-IR hydrogen lines.
Context.
It has been hypothesized that the location of Herbig Ae/Be stars (HAeBes) within the empirical relation between the inner disk radius (
r
in
), inferred from
K
-band interferometry, and the ...stellar luminosity (
L
*
), is related to the presence of the innermost gas, the disk-to-star accretion mechanism, the dust disk properties inferred from the spectral energy distributions (SEDs), or a combination of these effects. However, no general observational confirmation has been provided to date.
Aims.
This work aims to test whether the previously proposed hypotheses do, in fact, serve as a general explanation for the distribution of HAeBes in the size–luminosity diagram.
Methods.
GRAVITY/VLTI spectro-interferometric observations at ~2.2 μm have been obtained for five HBes representing two extreme cases concerning the presence of innermost gas and accretion modes. V590 Mon, PDS 281, and HD 94509 show no excess in the near-ultraviolet, Balmer region of the spectra (Δ
D
B
), indicative of a negligible amount of inner gas and disk-to-star accretion, whereas DG Cir and HD 141926 show such strong Δ
D
B
values that cannot be reproduced from magnetospheric accretion, but probably come from the alternative boundary layer mechanism. In turn, the sample includes three Group I and two Group II stars based on the Meeus et al. SED classification scheme. Additional data for these and all HAeBes resolved through
K
-band interferometry have been compiled from the literature and updated using
Gaia
EDR3 distances, almost doubling previous samples used to analyze the size–luminosity relation.
Results.
We find no general trend linking the presence of gas inside the dust destruction radius or the accretion mechanism with the location of HAeBes in the size–luminosity diagram. Similarly, our data do not support the more recent hypothesis linking such a location and the SED groups. Underlying trends are present and must be taken into account when interpreting the size–luminosity correlation. In particular, it cannot be statistically ruled out that this correlation is affected by dependencies of both
L
*
and
r
in
on the wide range of distances to the sources. Still, it is argued that the size–luminosity correlation is most likely to be physically relevant in spite of the previous statistical warning concerning dependencies on distance.
Conclusions.
Different observational approaches have been used to test the main scenarios proposed to explain the scatter of locations of HAeBes in the size–luminosity diagram. However, none of these scenarios have been confirmed as a fitting general explanation and this issue remains an open question.
Context. The gas- and dust dissipation processes in disks around young stars remain uncertain despite numerous studies. At the distance of ~99–116 pc, HD 141569A is one of the nearest HerbigAe stars ...that is surrounded by a tenuous disk, probably in transition between a massive primordial disk and a debris disk. Atomic and molecular gases have been found in the structured 5-Myr old HD 141569A disk, making HD 141569A the perfect object within which to directly study the gaseous atomic and molecular component. Aims. We wish to constrain the gas and dust mass in the disk around HD 141569A. Methods. We observed the fine-structure lines of O i at 63 and 145 μm and the C ii line at 157 μm with the PACS instrument onboard the Herschel Space Telescope as part of the open-time large program GASPS. We complemented the atomic line observations with archival Spitzer spectroscopic and photometric continuum data, a ground-based VLT-VISIR image at 8.6 μm, and 12CO fundamental ro-vibrational and pure rotational J = 3–2 observations. We simultaneously modeled the continuum emission and the line fluxes with the Monte Carlo radiative transfer code MCFOST and the thermo-chemical code ProDiMo to derive the disk gas- and dust properties assuming no dust settling. Results. The models suggest that the oxygen lines are emitted from the inner disk around HD 141569A, whereas the C ii line emission is more extended. The CO submillimeter flux is emitted mostly by the outer disk. Simultaneous modeling of the photometric and line data using a realistic disk structure suggests a dust mass derived from grains with a radius smaller than 1 mm of ~2.1 × 10-7M⊙ and from grains with a radius of up to 1 cm of 4.9 × 10-6M⊙. We constrained the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) mass to be between 2 × 10-11 and 1.4 × 10-10M⊙ assuming circumcircumcoronene (C150H30) as the representative PAH. The associated PAH abundance relative to hydrogen is lower than those found in the interstellar medium (3 × 10-7) by two to three orders of magnitude. The disk around HD 141569A is less massive in gas (2.5 to 4.9 × 10-4M⊙ or 67 to 164 M⊕) and has a flat opening angle (<10%). Conclusions. We constrained simultaneously the silicate dust grain, PAH, and gas mass in a ~5-Myr old Herbig Ae disk. The disk-averaged gas-to-dust-mass is most likely around 100, which is the assumed value at the disk formation despite the uncertainties due to disagreements between the different gas tracers. If the disk was originally massive, the gas and the dust would have dissipated at the same rate.
In an effort to simultaneously study the gas and dust components of the disc surrounding the young Herbig Ae star HD 169142, we present far-IR observations obtained with the PACS instrument onboard ...the Herschel Space Observatory. This work is part of the open time key program GASPS, which is aimed at studying the evolution of protoplanetary discs. To constrain the gas properties in the outer disc, we observed the star at several key gas-lines, including OI 63.2 and 145.5 μm, CII 157.7 μm, CO 72.8 and 90.2 μm, and o-H2O 78.7 and 179.5 μm. We only detect the OI 63.2 μm line in our spectra, and derive upper limits for the other lines. We complement our data set with PACS photometry and 12/13CO data obtained with the Submillimeter Array. Furthermore, we derive accurate stellar parameters from optical spectra and UV to mm photometry. We model the dust continuum with the 3D radiative transfer code MCFOST and use this model as an input to analyse the gas lines with the thermo-chemical code ProDiMo. Our dataset is consistent with a simple model in which the gas and dust are well-mixed in a disc with a continuous structure between 20 and 200 AU, but this is not a unique solution. Our modelling effort allows us to constrain the gas-to-dust mass ratio as well as the relative abundance of the PAHs in the disc by simultaneously fitting the lines of several species that originate in different regions. Our results are inconsistent with a gas-poor disc with a large UV excess; a gas mass of 5.0 ± 2.0 × 10-3 $M_{\odot}$ is still present in this disc, in agreement with earlier CO observations.
Context. Circumstellar discs are ubiquitous around young stars, but rapidly dissipate their gas and dust on timescales of a few Myr. The Herschel Space Observatory allows for the study of the warm ...disc atmosphere, using far-infrared spectroscopy to measure gas content and excitation conditions, and far-IR photometry to constrain the dust distribution.Aims. We aim to detect and characterize the gas content of circumstellar discs in four targets as part of the Herschel science demonstration phase.Methods. We carried out sensitive medium resolution spectroscopy and high sensitivity photometry at gimel similar to 60-190 mu m using the Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer instrument on the Herschel Space Observatory.Results. We detect OI 63 mu m emission from the young stars HD 169142, TW Hydrae, and RECX 15, but not HD 181327. No other lines, including CII 158 and OI 145, are significantly detected. All four stars are detected in photometry at 70 and 160 mu m. Extensive models are presented in associated papers.
Aims. In order to gain insights into the variability behaviour of the circumstellar (CS) atomic gas, we have analysed 337 multi-epoch optical spectra of 38 Herbig Ae/Be (HAeBe) stars. Methods. ...Equivalent widths (EWs) and line fluxes of the Hα, O i6300, He i5876 and Na iD lines were obtained for each spectrum; the Hα line width at 10% of peak intensity (W10) and profile shapes were also measured and classified. The mean line strengths and relative variabilities were quantified for each star. Simultaneous optical photometry was used to estimate the line fluxes. Results. We present a homogeneous spectroscopic database of HAeBe stars. The lines are variable in practically all stars and timescales, although 30% of the objects show a constant EW in O i6300, which is also the only line that shows no variability on timescales of hours. The He i5876 and Na iD EW relative variabilities are typically the largest, followed by those in O i6300 and Hα. The EW changes can be larger than one order of magnitude for the He i5876 line, and up to a factor 4 for Hα. The O i6300 and HαEW relative variabilities are correlated for most stars in the sample. The Hα mean EW and W10 are uncorrelated, as are their relative variabilities. The Hα profile changes in ~70% of the objects. The massive stars in the sample (M∗ > 3 M⊙) usually show more stable Hα profiles with blueshifted self-absorptions and less variable 10% widths. Conclusions. Our data suggest multiple causes for the different line variations, but the O i6300 and Hα variability must share a similar origin in many objects. The physical mechanism responsible for the Hα line broadening does not depend on the amount of emission; unlike in lower-mass stars, physical properties based on the Hα luminosity and W10 would significantly differ. Our results provide additional support to previous works that reported different physical mechanisms in Herbig Ae and Herbig Be stars. The multi-epoch observations we present are a useful tool for understanding the origin of the CS lines and their variability, and to establish distinctions in the physical processes operating in pre-main sequence stars.
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