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The Loopy Ultraviolet Line Profiles of RU Lupi: Accretion, Outflows, and Fluorescence

Authors :
J. A. Valenti
Gregory J. Herczeg
F. M. Walter
David R. Ardila
Alexander Brown
Jeffrey L. Linsky
Gösta F. Gahm
C. M. Johns-Krull
Michal Simon
Source :
The Astronomical Journal. 129:2777-2791
Publication Year :
2005
Publisher :
American Astronomical Society, 2005.

Abstract

We present far-ultraviolet spectra of the classical T Tauri star RU Lupi covering the 912-1710 A spectral range, as observed by the HST/STIS and FUSE satellites. We use these spectra, which are rich in emission and absorption lines, to probe both the accreting and outflowing gas. Absorption in the Ly-alpha profile constrains the extinction to A_V=0.07 mag, which we confirm with other diagnostics. We estimate a mass accretion rate of (5\pm2)\times10^{-8}$ M_\odot/yr using the optical-NUV accretion continuum. The accreting gas is also detected in bright, broad lines of C IV, Si IV, and N V, which all show complex structures across the line profile. Many other emission lines, including those of H_2 and Fe II, are pumped by Ly-alpha. RU Lupi's spectrum varies significantly in the FUV; our STIS observations occurred when RU Lupi was brighter than several other observations in the FUV, possibly due to a high mass accretion rate.

Details

ISSN :
15383881 and 00046256
Volume :
129
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
The Astronomical Journal
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........2560186be3a817bc3ca99dc4eeae3705