KH 15D: Gradual occultation of a pre-main-sequence binary

Joshua N. Winn; Matthew J. Holman; John A. Johnson; Krzysztof Z. Stanek; Peter M. Garnavich

doi:10.1086/383089

KH 15D: Gradual occultation of a pre-main-sequence binary

Joshua N. Winn, Matthew J. Holman, John A. Johnson, Krzysztof Z. Stanek, Peter M. Garnavich

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

82 Scopus citations

Abstract

We propose that the extraordinary "winking star" KH 15D is an eccentric pre-main-sequence binary that is gradually being occulted by an opaque screen. This model accounts for the periodicity, depth, duration, and rate of growth of the modern eclipses; the historical light curve from photographic plates; and the existing radial velocity measurements. It also explains the rebrightening events that were previously observed during eclipses and the subsequent disappearance of these events. We predict the future evolution of the system and its full radial velocity curve. Given the small velocity of the occulting screen relative to the center of mass of the binary, the screen is probably associated with the binary and may be the edge of a precessing circumbinary disk.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	L45-L48
Journal	Astrophysical Journal
Volume	603
Issue number	1 II
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1086/383089
State	Published - Mar 1 2004
Externally published	Yes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Space and Planetary Science

Keywords

Circumstellar matter
Open clusters and associations: individual (NGC 2264)
Stars: individual (KH 15D)
Stars: pre-main-sequence

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10.1086/383089

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title = "KH 15D: Gradual occultation of a pre-main-sequence binary",

abstract = "We propose that the extraordinary {"}winking star{"} KH 15D is an eccentric pre-main-sequence binary that is gradually being occulted by an opaque screen. This model accounts for the periodicity, depth, duration, and rate of growth of the modern eclipses; the historical light curve from photographic plates; and the existing radial velocity measurements. It also explains the rebrightening events that were previously observed during eclipses and the subsequent disappearance of these events. We predict the future evolution of the system and its full radial velocity curve. Given the small velocity of the occulting screen relative to the center of mass of the binary, the screen is probably associated with the binary and may be the edge of a precessing circumbinary disk.",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - KH 15D

T2 - Gradual occultation of a pre-main-sequence binary

AU - Winn, Joshua N.

AU - Holman, Matthew J.

AU - Johnson, John A.

AU - Stanek, Krzysztof Z.

AU - Garnavich, Peter M.

PY - 2004/3/1

Y1 - 2004/3/1

N2 - We propose that the extraordinary "winking star" KH 15D is an eccentric pre-main-sequence binary that is gradually being occulted by an opaque screen. This model accounts for the periodicity, depth, duration, and rate of growth of the modern eclipses; the historical light curve from photographic plates; and the existing radial velocity measurements. It also explains the rebrightening events that were previously observed during eclipses and the subsequent disappearance of these events. We predict the future evolution of the system and its full radial velocity curve. Given the small velocity of the occulting screen relative to the center of mass of the binary, the screen is probably associated with the binary and may be the edge of a precessing circumbinary disk.

AB - We propose that the extraordinary "winking star" KH 15D is an eccentric pre-main-sequence binary that is gradually being occulted by an opaque screen. This model accounts for the periodicity, depth, duration, and rate of growth of the modern eclipses; the historical light curve from photographic plates; and the existing radial velocity measurements. It also explains the rebrightening events that were previously observed during eclipses and the subsequent disappearance of these events. We predict the future evolution of the system and its full radial velocity curve. Given the small velocity of the occulting screen relative to the center of mass of the binary, the screen is probably associated with the binary and may be the edge of a precessing circumbinary disk.

KW - Circumstellar matter

KW - Open clusters and associations: individual (NGC 2264)

KW - Stars: individual (KH 15D)

KW - Stars: pre-main-sequence

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SP - L45-L48

JO - Astrophysical Journal

JF - Astrophysical Journal

IS - 1 II

ER -

KH 15D: Gradual occultation of a pre-main-sequence binary

Abstract

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Keywords

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