The SPHERE view of three interacting twin disc systems in polarised light
Authors: Philipp Weber, Sebastián Pérez, Greta Guidi, Nicolás T. Kurtovic, Alice Zurlo, Antonio Garufi, Paola Pinilla, Satoshi Mayama, Rob G. van Holstein, Cornelis P. Dullemond, Nicolás Cuello, David Principe, Lucas Cieza, Camilo González-Ruilova, Julien Girard
Abstract
Dense stellar environments as hosts of ongoing star formation increase the probability of gravitational encounters among stellar systems during the early stages of evolution. Stellar interaction may occur through non-recurring, hyperbolic or parabolic passages (a so-called 'fly-by'), through secular binary evolution, or through binary capture. In all three scenarios, the strong gravitational perturbation is expected to manifest itself in the disc structures around the individual stars. Here, we present near-infrared polarised light observations that were taken with the SPHERE/IRDIS instrument of three known interacting twin-disc systems: AS 205, EM* SR 24, and FU Orionis. The scattered light exposes spirals likely caused by the gravitational interaction. On a larger scale, we observe connecting filaments between the stars. We analyse their very complex polarised intensity and put particular attention to the presence of multiple light sources in these systems. The local angle of linear polarisation indicates the source whose light dominates the scattering process from the bridging region between the two stars. Further, we show that the polarised intensity from scattering with multiple relevant light sources results from an incoherent summation of the individuals' contribution. This can produce nulls of polarised intensity in an image, as potentially observed in AS 205. We discuss the geometry and content of the systems by comparing the polarised light observations with other data at similar resolution, namely with ALMA continuum and gas emission. Collective observational data can constrain the systems' geometry and stellar trajectories, with the important potential to differentiate between dynamical scenarios of stellar interaction.
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Abstract
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Abstract
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Abstract
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Abstract
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Abstract
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Abstract
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Abstract
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Abstract
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Prior work it builds on
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Astronomical PolarimetryR. Willstrop · 1997 · Measurement Science and Technology · cited 117 times · Not summarized yet
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Polarized light in optics and spectroscopyD. Kliger, J. Lewis, C. E. Randall et al. · 1990 · cited 498 times · Not summarized yet
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Astrophysics Source Code LibraryAlice Allen, K. DuPrie, G. Berriman et al. · 2012 · arXiv.org · preprint, not peer reviewed · cited 2,087 times · Not summarized yet
Abstract
The Astrophysics Source Code Library (ASCL), founded in 1999, is a free on-line registry for source codes of interest to astronomers and astrophysicists. The library is housed on the discussion forum for Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) and can be accessed at this http URL The ASCL has a comprehensive listing that covers a significant number of the astrophysics source codes used to generate results published in or submitted to refereed journals and continues to grow. The ASCL currently has entries for over 500 codes; its records are citable and are indexed by ADS. The editors of the ASCL and members of its Advisory Committee were on hand at a demonstration table in the ADASS poster room t…
Papers that cite it
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Abstract
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Abstract
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