Millimeter interferometric observations of FU Orionis-type objects in Cygnus

Abstract

FU Orionis-type objects (FUors) are low-mass young eruptive stars that represent an evolutionary phase characterized by episodic periods of increased accretion rate from the disk to the star. Theory predicts that a circumstellar envelope, the source of continuous mass infall onto the disk, is necessary for triggering such accretion bursts. We study the spatial and velocity structure of envelopes around FUors by means of molecular line observations at mm wavelengths. We target three prototypical FUors and an object possibly in a pre-outburst state. We present archival PdBI interferometric observations of the J=1-0 line of 13CO at 110.2 GHz. For three of our targets, these represent the first mm interferometric observations. The data allow the study of the molecular environment of the objects on a spatial resolution of a thousand AU and a velocity resolution of 0.2 km/s. Strong, narrow 13CO(1-0) line emission is detected from all sources. The emission is spatially resolved in all cases, with deconvolved sizes of a few thousand AUs. For V1057 Cyg and V1331 Cyg, the emitting area is rather compact, suggesting that the origin of emission is an envelope surrounding the central star. For V1735 Cyg, the 13CO emission is offset from the stellar position, indicating that the source of emission may be a small foreground cloud, also responsible for the high reddening of the central star. The 13CO emission towards V1515 Cyg is the most extended in the sample, and coincides with the ring-like optical reflection nebula associated with V1515 Cyg. We suggest that mm interferometric observations are indispensable for a complete understanding of the circumstellar environment of FUors. Any theory of the FUor phenomenon that interprets the geometry of the circumstellar structure and its evolution using single beam measurements must be checked and compared to interferometric observations in the future.

6 pages, 4 figures, 1 table, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

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• The ALMA Early Science view of FUor/EXor objects. I. Through the looking-glass of V2775 Ori
• A 1.3 mm SMA Survey of 29 Variable Young Stellar Objects
• A concordant scenario to explain FU Ori from deep centimeter and millimeter interferometric observations
• The progenitor of the FUor-type young eruptive star 2MASS J06593158-0405277
• Interferometric view of the circumstellar envelopes of northern FU Orionis-type stars
• PENELLOPE III. The peculiar accretion variability of XX Cha and its impact on the observed spread of accretion rates
• Absence of Significant Cool Disks in Young Stellar Objects Exhibiting Repetitive Optical Outbursts
• Confronting Standard Models of Proto--Planetary Disks With New Mid--Infrared Sizes from the Keck Interferometer
• Molecular inventory of a young eruptive star's environment -- Case study of the classical FU Orionis star V1057 Cyg
• Spectro-astrometry of V1515 Cyg
• Hubble imaging of V1331 Cygni: Proper motion study of its circumstellar structures