Multi-wavelength detection of an ongoing FUOr-type outburst on a low-mass YSO

Abstract

During the pre-main-sequence evolution, Young Stellar Objects (YSOs) assemble most of their mass during the episodic accretion process. The rarely seen FUOr-type events (FUOrs) are valuable laboratories to investigate the outbursting nature of YSOs. Here, we present multi-wavelength detection of a high-amplitude eruptive source in the young open cluster VdBH 221 with an ongoing outburst, including optical to mid-infrared time series and near-infrared spectra. The initial outburst has an exceptional amplitude of $>$6.3 mag in Gaia and 4.6 mag in $K_s$, with a peak luminosity up to 16 $L_{\odot }$ and a peak mass accretion rate of 1.4 $\times$ 10${}^{-5}$ $M_{\odot }$ yr${}^{-1}$. The optical to infrared spectral energy distribution (SED) of this object is consistent with a low-mass star (0.2$M_{\odot }$) with a modest extinction ($A_V<2$ mag). A 100-d delay between optical and infrared rising stages is detected, suggesting an outside-in origin of the instability. The spectroscopic features of this object reveal a self-luminous accretion disc, very similar to FU Orionis, with a low line-of-sight extinction. Most recently, there has been a gradual increase in brightness throughout the wavelength range, possibly suggesting an enhancement of the mass accretion rate.

10 pages, 8 figures