A Critique of Current Magnetic-Accretion Models for Classical T-Tauri Stars

Abstract

Current magnetic-accretion models for classical T-Tauri stars rely on a strong, dipolar magnetic field of stellar origin to funnel the disk material onto the star, and assume a steady-state. In this paper, I critically examine the physical basis of these models in light of the observational evidence and our knowledge of magnetic fields in low-mass stars, and find it lacking. I also argue that magnetic accretion onto these stars is inherently a time-dependent problem, and that a steady-state is not warranted. Finally, directions for future work towards fully-consistent models are pointed out.

2 figures

Cited by in corpus (35)

• Three-dimensional Simulations of Disk Accretion to an Inclined Dipole: II. Hot Spots and Variability
• Three-dimensional Simulations of Disk Accretion to an Inclined Dipole: I. Magnetospheric Flow at Different Theta
• MHD Simulations of Disk-Magnetized Star Interactions in Quiescent Regime: Funnel Flows and Angular Momentum Transport
• Magnetospheric accretion on the T Tauri star BP Tauri
• Magnetic fields and accretion flows on the classical T Tauri star V2129 Oph
• The spin of accreting stars: dependence on magnetic coupling to the disc
• Force-Free Models of Magnetically Linked Star-Disk Systems
• Turbulence-driven Polar Winds from T Tauri Stars Energized by Magnetospheric Accretion
• Accretion to Stars with Non-dipole Magnetic Fields
• Three-dimensional Simulations of Accretion to Stars with Complex Magnetic Fields
• Accretion-Powered Stellar Winds III: Spin Equilibrium Solutions
• Testing Models of Accretion-driven Coronal Heating and Stellar Wind Acceleration for T Tauri Stars
• Spin Evolution of Accreting Young Stars. II. Effect of Accretion-Powered Stellar Winds
• Spin Evolution of Accreting Young Stars. I. Effect of Magnetic Star-Disk Coupling
• Mass Accretion onto T Tauri Stars
• Global 3D Simulations of Disc Accretion onto the classical T Tauri Star V2129 Oph
• Simulation-Based Investigation of a Model for the Interaction Between Stellar Magnetospheres and Circumstellar Accretion Disks
• T Tauri stellar magnetic fields: He I measurements
• Magnetospheric Gap and Accumulation of Giant Planets Close to the Star
• On the observability of T Tauri accretion shocks in the X-ray band
• A 10-micron Search for Inner-Truncated Disks Among Pre-Main-Sequence Stars With Photometric Rotation Periods
• X-ray emitting MHD accretion shocks in classical T Tauri stars. Case for moderate to high plasma-beta values
• Do accretion discs regulate the rotation of young stars?
• YSO accretion shocks: magnetic, chromospheric or stochastic flow effects can suppress fluctuations of X-ray emission
• Planet Migration and Disk Destruction due to Magneto-Centrifugal Stellar Winds
• Does Disk Locking Solve the Stellar Angular Momentum Problem?
• Analytic and numerical models of the 3D multipolar magnetospheres of pre-main sequence stars
• Multi-Site observations of SU Aurigae
• Coronal structure of the cTTS V2129 Oph
• Protoplanet Magnetosphere Interactions
• Inferring possible magnetic field strength of accreting inflows in EXor-type objects from scaled laboratory experiments
• A new view of the corona of classical T Tauri stars: Effects of flaring activity in circumstellar disks
• Stellar models simulating the disk-locking mechanism and the evolutionary history of the Orion Nebula cluster and NGC2264
• The role of damped Alfven waves on magnetospheric accretion models of young stars
• Accretion discs, low-mass protostars and planets: probing the impact of magnetic fields on stellar formation