Magnetically Active Stars in Taurus-Auriga: Evolutionary Status

TL;DR

This study refines the evolutionary status of 74 magnetically active stars in Taurus-Auriga, revealing their ages, rotational properties, and star-disk interactions, contributing to understanding stellar evolution in star-forming regions.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of the ages, physical parameters, and rotational evolution of magnetically active stars in Taurus-Auriga, including the star-disk interaction timescale.

Findings

50 stars are young (1-40 Myr) in Taurus-Auriga

20 stars have uncertain status, possibly in Taurus-Auriga or Gould Belt

4 stars are on the zero-age main sequence

Abstract

We have analyzed a sample of 74 magnetically active stars toward the Taurus-Auriga star-forming region. Based on accurate data on their basic physical parameters obtained from original photometric observations and published data on their proper motions, X-ray luminosities, and equivalent widths of the $\rm H\alpha$ and Li lines, we have refined the evolutionary status of these objects. We show that 50 objects are young stars with ages of 1-40 Myr and belong to the Taurus-Auriga star-forming region. Other 20 objects have a controversial evolutionary status and can belong to both Taurus-Auriga star-forming region and the Gould Belt. The remaining four objects with ages of 70-100 Myr belong to the zero-age main sequence. We have analyzed the relationship between the rotation period, mass, and age for 50 magnetically active stars. The change in the angular momentum of the sample stars within the first 40 Myr of their evolution has been investigated. An active star-protoplanetary disk interaction is shown to occur on a time scale from 0.7 to 10 Myr.