Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Helium Emission From Classical T Tauri Stars: Dual Origin In Magnetospheric Infall And Hot Wind, Georgina Beristain, Suzan Edwards, John Kwan

Astronomy: Faculty Publications

High-resolution emission-line profiles of He I and He II in 31 classical T Tauri stars are analyzed with the aim of probing the environs of the star-disk interface in accreting low-mass young stars. The diagnostic power of the helium lines lies in their high-excitation potentials, which restrict their formation to a region either of high temperature or close proximity to a source of ionizing radiation. The He I profiles are decomposed into kinematic components that support the paradigm of magnetically controlled accretion from the disk onto the stellar surface but also require a significant contribution from a hot wind. A …