A Multi-Ringed, Modestly Inclined Protoplanetary Disk Around AA Tau
Citation
Loomis, Ryan A., Karin I. Öberg, Sean M. Andrews, and Meredith A. MacGregor. 2017. A Multi-Ringed, Modestly Inclined Protoplanetary Disk Around AA Tau. The Astrophysical Journal 840, no. 1.Abstract
AA Tau is the archetype for a class of stars with a peculiar periodic photometric variability thought to be related to a warped inner disk structure with a nearly edge-on viewing geometry. We present high resolution (~0farcs2) ALMA observations of the 0.87 and 1.3 mm dust continuum emission from the disk around AA Tau. These data reveal an evenly spaced three-ringed emission structure, with distinct peaks at 0farcs34, 0farcs66, and 0farcs99, all viewed at a modest inclination of 59fdg1 ± 0fdg3 (decidedly not edge-on). In addition to this ringed substructure, we find non-axisymmetric features, including a "bridge" of emission that connects opposite sides of the innermost ring. We speculate on the nature of this "bridge" in light of accompanying observations of HCO+ and 13CO (J = 3–2) line emission. The HCO+ emission is bright interior to the innermost dust ring, with a projected velocity field that appears rotated with respect to the resolved disk geometry, indicating the presence of a warp or inward radial flow. We suggest that the continuum bridge and HCO+ line kinematics could originate from gap-crossing accretion streams, which may be responsible for the long-duration dimming of optical light from AA Tau.Terms of Use
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http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:41307063
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