Measuring the Spot Variability of T Tauri Stars Using Near-infrared Atomic Fe and Molecular OH Lines

Abstract

As part of the Young Exoplanets Spectroscopic Survey, this study explores the spot variability of 13 T Tauri Stars (TTSs) in the near-infrared H band, using spectra from the Immersion GRating INfrared Spectrometer. By analyzing effective temperature ( T _eff ) sensitive lines of atomic Fe i at ∼1.56259 μ m and ∼1.56362 μ m, and molecular OH at ∼1.56310 and ∼1.56317 μ m, we develop an empirical equivalent width ratio (EWR) relationship for T _eff in the range of 3400–5000 K. This relationship allows for precise relative T _eff estimates to within tens of Kelvin and demonstrates compatibility with solar metallicity target models. However, discrepancies between observational data and model predictions limit the extension of the T _eff –EWR relationship to a broader parameter space. Our study reveals that both classical and weak-line TTSs can exhibit T _eff variations exceeding 150 K over a span of 2 yr. The detection of a quarter-phase delay between the EWR and radial velocity phase curves in TTSs indicates spot-driven signals. A phase delay of 0.06 ± 0.13 for CI Tau, however, suggests additional dynamics, potentially caused by planetary interaction, inferred from a posited 1:1 commensurability between the rotation period and orbital period. Moreover, a positive correlation between T _eff variation amplitude and stellar inclination angle supports the existence of high-latitude spots on TTSs, further enriching our understanding of stellar surface activity in young stars.

Keywords

• Pre-main sequence stars
• Stellar effective temperatures
• Infrared spectroscopy
• Stellar spectral lines
• Starspots