Mapping the Circumstellar Environment of T Tauri with Fluorescent H_2 Emission

Abstract

We have obtained three long-slit, far UV spectra of the pre-main sequence system T Tauri. These HST/STIS spectra show a strong and variable on-source spectrum composed of both fluoresced H_2 and stellar chromospheric lines. Extended H_2 emission is seen up to 10" from the T Tau system. The on-source and extended H_2 are both pumped by H I Lyman alpha. The on-source H_2 is pumped by the red wing of a broad, self-absorbed Ly-alpha line, while the progressions seen in the extended gas are pumped from near line center. This suggests that the extended H_2 is pumped locally, and not by the stellar Ly-alpha line. The H_2 to the north and west coincides with the evacuated cavity bounded by the optical reflection nebulosity; to the south the extended H_2 coincides with the HH 255 outflow from the embedded infrared companion T Tau S. The spatial profile of the extended gas shows a prominent dip coincident with the position of T Tau S. This may be absorption by a disk associated with T Tau S. There is no evidence for absorption by a disk surrounding T Tau N large enough to obscure T Tau S.

46 pages, including 12 figures and 5 tables. To appear in the Astronomical Journal, December 2003

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• A Search for Spatially Resolved Infrared Ro-Vibrational Molecular Hydrogen Emission from the Disks of Young Stars
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• The UV Perspective of Low-Mass Star Formation
• Spatially resolved H2 emission from the disk around T Tau N
• The Radial Distribution and Excitation of H2 around Young Stars in the HST-ULLYSES Survey
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