Page 1 of 1

Precession of the disk in zeta Tau

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 8:48 am
by Ernst Pollmann
Dear colleagues,
the collaboration in terms of Halpha observation of the Be star zeta Tau for many years, enables to compile results of measurements of the central absorption of the Halpha profile. Here the report:

Precession of the Disk in ζ Tau

ζ Tauri (HD37202, HR1910) is a well known classical Be binary star with a gaseous circumstellar disk. Observations of the Hα emission line of that star reach back many decades. Since ζ Tau is a binary, any tilt of the disk will be modulated by the tidal force of the companion. This can manifest itself as nodding movement and is among others measurable at the depth of the central absorption (CA) within the Hα emission.

The monitoring of the Hα emission profile of ζ Tau for almost 7 years (JD 2455640 to JD 2458109) enables the study of the time behavior of the CA of that profile. During this time section the circumstellar disk of ζ Tau had a minimum of mass.

On the base of 200 high resolved spectra of the ARAS spectroscopy group the depth of the CA minima has been evaluated. The period analysis of that time series data led to a period of 474 days. That period has been attributed to the nodding period and hence to the precession period of ζ Tau´s disk during the time section mentioned above.
conclusion.jpg
conclusion.jpg (75.46 KiB) Viewed 9481 times
Fig. 1 in the attachment shows the ARAS group monitoring of CA of the Hα emission, Fig. 2 shows the period analysis of the data in Fig. 1 with the dominant period of 474 days. Fig. 3 shows the corresponding phase diagram of the found period. This data set improve with additional observations of more than one year, the period of 442 days, published in IBVS No. 6208 (Pollmann, 2017). The CA minimum at phase 0.5 in Fig. 3 corresponds to a maximum of the self absorption in the Hα emission, the CA maximum at phase 1 corresponds to a minimum of self absorption.

The spectra used for the CA evaluation of Hα were taken by the following observers of the ARAS spectroscopy group:
O. Garde, K. Graham, O. Thizy, B. Hanisch, J. Guarro, T. Lester, A. Favaro, E. Pollmann, U. Zurmühl, Ch. Buil, C. Sawicki, E. Bertrand.

I am very grateful this colleagues of the group for that collaboration.

Pollmann, Ernst, 03.01.2018
Observatory of the Vereinigung der Sternfreunde Köln, Germany

Re: Precession of the disk in zeta Tau

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 1:49 pm
by James Foster
To: Ernst,

Great graphic of Zeta TAU's astrophysical activity! Its probably too late to use this, but after I started making a spreadsheet of all LhiresIII spectra I've taken since October
last year, I found some AZ Tau spectra that you or someone else in the forum recommended I take (Ha):
Image
and CaK:
Image
As I go through my list I'll see if I took more AZ Tau spectra......

James

Re: Precession of the disk in zeta Tau

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 2:48 pm
by Ernst Pollmann
James,
each of your LHIRESIII spectra of zeta Tau which contributes to this campaign is welcome. Please be so friendly to send me them.

Ernst

Re: Precession of the disk in zeta Tau

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 12:56 am
by James Foster
To: Ernt,

RE:"your LHIRESIII spectra of zeta Tau which contributes to this campaign is welcome."

Will do! I'll send it to you after I verify I have no others btw 19Nov17-31Dec17 to send.

James

Re: Precession of the disk in zeta Tau

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2018 3:29 pm
by Ernst Pollmann
Dear colleagues,
the Be star zeta Tau will be the next months well to observe.
At present we are shortly before the next maximum. Interesting of this monitoring is, to find out a correct period of the disk libration, represented by the Halpha central absorption "CA".
Ernst Pollmann

Re: Precession of the disk in zeta Tau

Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2019 1:57 pm
by Ernst Pollmann
Dear colleagues,
the intensive observations and collaboration with different colleagues of the ARAS group enables the consolidation of the periodic behavior of the parameter Halpha CA (central absorption depth) during the current minimum of disk mass and volume of the binary star zeta Tau.
The period of 172 days lays suspiciously close to the orbital period of the companion of 133 days. At present the reason of this time difference is absolutely unclear. Maybe later, with a larger data set, someone of the professional zeta Tau experts will have an explanation.
The presented results here are prety similar to them of the Be binary system 28 Tau.
summery_26.4.19.png
summery_26.4.19.png (344.62 KiB) Viewed 7587 times
Ernst Pollmann