Orbits and Masses in the T Tauri System

TL;DR

This study determines the orbital parameters and individual masses of the T Tauri South binary system, confirming the nature of its components as young stars with specific mass ratios, using combined astrometric data.

Contribution

The paper provides the first combined astrometric and VLT observational analysis to estimate the orbital elements and masses of T Tauri South components, improving understanding of their system.

Findings

Total mass of T Tauri South is approximately 3.0 solar masses.

Mass ratio of Sb to Sa is about 0.4, with individual masses of 2.1 and 0.8 solar masses.

Orbital parameters are loosely constrained but suggest Sb is not on a highly elliptical or escaping orbit.

Abstract

We investigate the binary star T Tauri South, presenting the orbital parameters of the two components and their individual masses. We combined astrometric positions from the literature with previously unpublished VLT observations. Model fits yield the orbital elements of T Tau Sa and Sb. We use T Tau N as an astrometric reference to derive an estimate for the mass ratio of Sa and Sb. Although most of the orbital parameters are not well constrained, it is unlikely that T Tau Sb is on a highly elliptical orbit or escaping from the system. The total mass of T Tau S is rather well constrained to 3.0 +0.15/-0.24 M_sun. The mass ratio Sb:Sa is about 0.4, corresponding to individual masses of M_Sa = 2.1+/-0.2 M_sun and M_Sb = 0.8+/-0.1 M_sun. This confirms that the infrared companion in the T Tauri system is a pair of young stars obscured by circumstellar material.