Evidence for Starspots on T Tauri Stars (Abstract)

Volume 46 number 2 (2018)

Andrew Wilson

12 Barnards Close, Yatton, Bristol BS49 4HZ, United Kingdom; barnards.star12@gmail.com

Abstract

(Abstract only) Observational Color-Magnitude Diagrams (CMD) of young star clusters show a spread that is indicative of a spread in age. However, it could be that the stars formed at around the same time but a physical property of the stars is at least partially responsible for the spread. One such property is magnetic field of the Young Stellar Object (YSO). A strong magnetic field would inhibit convection, slowing contraction of the YSO towards the main sequence and thus causing a spread in the CMD. Starspots are a good indicator of stellar magnetic field. Spectra of T Tauri stars in the Orion Nebula Cluster and the σ Ori Cluster are being analyzed to discover if they show the presence of a large surface covering by starspots. This work is being undertaken as part of Andrew’s Ph.D. project at the University of Exeter under the supervision of Professor Tim Naylor.