The Many-Faceted Light Curves of Young Disk-bearing Stars in Taurus as Seen by K2

TL;DR

This study analyzes the variability of young, disk-bearing stars in Taurus using K2 data, revealing differences in variability patterns and amplitudes compared to other regions, and relating these to disk properties.

Contribution

It provides a detailed classification of variability types in Taurus stars and compares these with other star-forming regions, highlighting differences in amplitude and variability classes.

Findings

Similar flux-symmetric variables in Taurus and rho Oph

More bursters and fewer dippers in Taurus

Larger amplitudes for periodic sources in Taurus

Abstract

We present a comprehensive study of the variability properties of young disk-bearing stars in the Taurus star-forming region, paralleling our previous investigation in rho Oph and Upper Sco. A sample of 99 confirmed Taurus association members is placed in the diagnostic Q-M plane of flux asymmetry (M) and quasi-periodicity (Q), which guides our assignment of variability classes. We find a similar proportion of flux-symmetric variables in Taurus, but more bursters and fewer dippers relative to Upper Sco. The regions also differ in that the amplitudes for periodic and quasi-periodic sources are larger in Taurus relative to the more evolved Upper Sco star/disk systems. The relationship between photometric variability patterns at optical wavelengths, which arise in the inner disk and at the stellar surface, are assessed relative to available disk inclination measurements.