The Astronomical Journal (Jan 2023)
TU Tau B: The Peculiar “Eclipse” of a Possible Proto-barium Giant
- Richard O. Gray,
- Christopher J. Corbally,
- Michael M. Briley,
- Adam McKay,
- Forrest Sims,
- David Boyd,
- Christophe Boussin,
- Courtney E. McGahee,
- Robert Buchheim,
- Gary Walker,
- David Iadevaia,
- David Cejudo Fernandez,
- Damien Lemay,
- Jack Martin,
- Jim Grubb,
- Albert Stiewing,
- Joseph Daglen,
- Keith Shank,
- Sydney Andrews,
- Nick Barnhardt,
- Rebekah Clark,
- Hunter Corman,
- Sabina Gomes,
- Agastya Jonnalagadda,
- Theo McDaries,
- Ava Mills,
- Will Newsom,
- Andrew Slate,
- Michael Watts
Affiliations
- Richard O. Gray
- ORCiD
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Appalachian State University Boone, NC 28608, USA
- Christopher J. Corbally
- ORCiD
- Vatican Observatory Research Group , Steward Observatory, Tucson, AZ 85721-0065, USA
- Michael M. Briley
- ORCiD
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Appalachian State University Boone, NC 28608, USA
- Adam McKay
- ORCiD
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Appalachian State University Boone, NC 28608, USA
- Forrest Sims
- Desert Celestial Observatory , Gilbert, AZ 85233, USA
- David Boyd
- BAA Variable Star Section, West Challow Observatory , Wantage OX12 9TX, UK
- Christophe Boussin
- Observatoire de l’Eridan et de la Chevelure de Bérénice , F-02400 Épaux-Bézu , France
- Courtney E. McGahee
- ORCiD
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Appalachian State University Boone, NC 28608, USA
- Robert Buchheim
- Lost Gold Observatory , 8731 E. Lost Gold Cir, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118, USA
- Gary Walker
- Maria Mitchell Observatory , Minor Planet Center #811, 4 Vestal Street, Nantucket, MA 02554, USA
- David Iadevaia
- Mountain View Observatory , 5700 N Avenida Observatory, Tucson, AZ 85750 USA
- David Cejudo Fernandez
- Camino de las Canteras , 42, El Berruero E-28192, Spain
- Damien Lemay
- 10 Observatoire St-Anaclet, 195 Rang 4 Ouest, St-Anaclet, Quebec, G0K 1H0, Canada
- Jack Martin
- Huggins Spectroscopic Observatory, Rayleigh, Essex SS6 8AW, UK
- Jim Grubb
- SAROS-1, 51000 Smith Road, Bradley, CA 93426 USA
- Albert Stiewing
- Desert Wing Observatory , 16210 N. Desert Holly Drive, Sun City, AZ 85351, USA
- Joseph Daglen
- Daglen Observatory , Mayhill, NM 88339, USA
- Keith Shank
- DEVO Observatory , Carrollton, TX 75007, USA
- Sydney Andrews
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Appalachian State University Boone, NC 28608, USA
- Nick Barnhardt
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Appalachian State University Boone, NC 28608, USA
- Rebekah Clark
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Appalachian State University Boone, NC 28608, USA
- Hunter Corman
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Appalachian State University Boone, NC 28608, USA
- Sabina Gomes
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Appalachian State University Boone, NC 28608, USA
- Agastya Jonnalagadda
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Appalachian State University Boone, NC 28608, USA
- Theo McDaries
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Appalachian State University Boone, NC 28608, USA
- Ava Mills
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Appalachian State University Boone, NC 28608, USA
- Will Newsom
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Appalachian State University Boone, NC 28608, USA
- Andrew Slate
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Appalachian State University Boone, NC 28608, USA
- Michael Watts
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Appalachian State University Boone, NC 28608, USA
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/acf1fe
- Journal volume & issue
-
Vol. 166,
no. 4
p. 161
Abstract
TU Tau (=HD 38218 = HIP 27135) is a binary system consisting of a C-N carbon star primary and an A-type secondary. We report on new photometry and spectroscopy which tracked the recent disappearance of the A-star secondary. The dimming of the A star was gradual and irregular, with one or more brief brightenings, implying the presence of nonhomogeneities in the carbon star outflow. We also present evidence that the A star is actively accreting s -process enriched material from the carbon star and suggest that it will therefore eventually evolve into a Barium giant. This is an important system as well because the A-type star can serve as a probe of the outer atmosphere of the carbon star.
Keywords
