Evidence for Accretion in the High-Resolution X-Ray Spectrum of the T Tauri Star System Hen 3-600

• Published in: The Astrophysical journal 2007-12, Vol.671 (1), p.592-604
• Main Authors: Huenemoerder, David P, Kastner, Joel H, Testa, Paola, Schulz, Norbert S, Weintraub, David A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Astronomy; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology
• ISSN: 0004-637X; 1538-4357
• DOI: 10.1086/522921

We present high-resolution X-ray spectra of the nearby multiple T Tauri star (TTS) system Hen 3-600, obtained with the High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrograph (HETGS) aboard the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. Both principal binary components of Hen 3-600 (A and B, separation 1.4 double prime ) were detected in the zeroth-order Chandra HETGS X-ray image. Hen 3-600-A, the component with a large mid-infrared excess, is a factor of similar to 2-3 fainter in X-rays than Hen 3-600-B, due to a large flare at Hen 3-600-B during our observation. The dispersed X-ray spectra of the two primary components overlap significantly, so spectral analysis was performed primarily on the first-order spectrum of the combined A + B system, with analysis of the individual dispersed spectra limited to regions where the contributions of A and B can be disentangled via cross-dispersion profile fitting. This analysis results in two lines of evidence indicating that the X-ray emission from Hen 3-600 A + B is derived, in part, from accretion processes. (1) The line ratios of He-like O VII in the spectrum of Hen 3-600 A + B indicate that the characteristic density of its X-ray-emitting plasma is significantly larger than those of coronally active main-sequence and pre-main-sequence stars. (2) A significant component of low-temperature (2-3 MK) plasma is present in the Hen 3-600 A + B spectrum; this "soft excess" appears somewhat stronger in component A. These results for Hen 3-600 A + B are consistent with, although less pronounced than, results obtained from X-ray grating spectroscopy of more rapidly accreting TTS systems. Indeed, all of the emission signatures of Hen 3-600 A + B that are potential diagnostics of accretion activity-from its high-resolution X-ray spectrum, through its UV excess and H alpha emission-line strengths, to its weak near-infrared excess-suggest that its components (and component A in particular) represent a transition phase between rapidly accreting, classical T Tauri stars and nonaccreting, weak-lined T Tauri stars.