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L1551NE-Discovery of a Binary Companion.
The Astrophysical Journal
|April 19, 2000
Summary
Astronomers discovered a binary companion to the protostar L1551NE using millimeter-wave observations. This young star system features a close binary pair within a circumbinary envelope, offering insights into low-mass star formation.
Area of Science:
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Star Formation and Evolution
Background:
- L1551NE is a low-mass protostar, classified as Class 0 or I.
- It is situated near the extensively studied L1551 IRS 5 system.
- Protostars are crucial for understanding the early stages of stellar evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential binary nature of the protostar L1551NE.
- To characterize the physical properties of any companion and surrounding material.
- To contribute to the understanding of binary star formation mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 1.3 mm continuum interferometric observations.
- Achieved a resolution of approximately 1 arcsecond.
- Analyzed millimeter-wave emission to resolve and measure components.
Main Results:
- Confirmed a binary companion to L1551NE, located 1.43 arcseconds (230 AU) to the southeast.
- The companion exhibits a 1.3 mm flux density approximately 1/3 that of the primary.
- Resolved millimeter-wave emission from the primary component (131x112 AU) and an unresolved companion (<100 AU).
- Identified a flattened circumbinary envelope (860x370 AU).
- Estimated masses for the primary circumstellar material (0.044 M☉), companion (0.014 M☉), and envelope (0.023 M☉).
Conclusions:
- L1551NE is a binary protostar system.
- The system is embedded in a circumbinary envelope, indicating a common formation environment.
- The findings provide valuable data for models of low-mass binary star formation.