TY - JOUR
T1 - The milliarcsecond-scale radio structure of AB Doradus A
AU - Climent, J. B.
AU - Guirado, J. C.
AU - Azulay, R.
AU - Marcaide, J. M.
AU - Jauncey, D. L.
AU - Lestrade, J. F.
AU - Reynolds, J. E.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© ESO 2020.
PY - 2020/9/1
Y1 - 2020/9/1
N2 - Context. The fast rotator, pre-main sequence star AB Dor A is a strong and persistent radio emitter. The extraordinary coronal flaring activity is thought to be the origin of compact radio emission and other associated phenomena, such as large slingshot prominences. Aims. We aim to investigate the radio emission mechanism and the milliarcsecond radio structure around AB Dor A. Methods. We performed phase-referenced VLBI observations at 22.3 GHz, 8.4 GHz, and 1.4 GHz over more than one decade using the Australian VLBI array. Results. Our 8.4 GHz images show a double core-halo morphology, similar at all epochs, with emission extending at heights between 5 and 18 stellar radii. Furthermore, the sequence of the 8.4 GHz maps shows a clear variation of the source structure within the observing time. However, images at 1.4 GHz and 22.3 GHz are compatible with a compact source. The phase-reference position at 8.4 GHz and 1.4 GHz are coincident with those expected from the well-known milliarcsecond-precise astrometry of this star, meanwhile the 22.3 GHz position is 4σ off the prediction in the north-west direction. The origin of this offset is still unclear. Conclusions. We have considered several models to explain the morphology and evolution of the inner radio structure detected in AB Dor A. These models include emission from the stellar polar caps, a flaring, magnetically-driven loop structure, and the presence of helmet streamers. We also investigated a possible close companion to AB Dor A. Our results confirm the extraordinary coronal magnetic activity of this star, capable of producing compact radio structures at very large heights that have so far only been seen in binary interacting systems.
AB - Context. The fast rotator, pre-main sequence star AB Dor A is a strong and persistent radio emitter. The extraordinary coronal flaring activity is thought to be the origin of compact radio emission and other associated phenomena, such as large slingshot prominences. Aims. We aim to investigate the radio emission mechanism and the milliarcsecond radio structure around AB Dor A. Methods. We performed phase-referenced VLBI observations at 22.3 GHz, 8.4 GHz, and 1.4 GHz over more than one decade using the Australian VLBI array. Results. Our 8.4 GHz images show a double core-halo morphology, similar at all epochs, with emission extending at heights between 5 and 18 stellar radii. Furthermore, the sequence of the 8.4 GHz maps shows a clear variation of the source structure within the observing time. However, images at 1.4 GHz and 22.3 GHz are compatible with a compact source. The phase-reference position at 8.4 GHz and 1.4 GHz are coincident with those expected from the well-known milliarcsecond-precise astrometry of this star, meanwhile the 22.3 GHz position is 4σ off the prediction in the north-west direction. The origin of this offset is still unclear. Conclusions. We have considered several models to explain the morphology and evolution of the inner radio structure detected in AB Dor A. These models include emission from the stellar polar caps, a flaring, magnetically-driven loop structure, and the presence of helmet streamers. We also investigated a possible close companion to AB Dor A. Our results confirm the extraordinary coronal magnetic activity of this star, capable of producing compact radio structures at very large heights that have so far only been seen in binary interacting systems.
KW - Radio continuum: stars
KW - Stars: coronae
KW - Stars: flare
KW - Stars: imaging
KW - Stars: pre-main sequence
KW - Techniques: high angular resolution
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85091921732&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1051/0004-6361/202037542
DO - 10.1051/0004-6361/202037542
M3 - Article
SN - 0004-6361
VL - 641
JO - Astronomy and Astrophysics
JF - Astronomy and Astrophysics
M1 - A90
ER -