Emission line variability of young 10-30 Mjup companions : I. The case of GQ Lup b and GSC 06214-00210 b

TL;DR

This study investigates emission line variability in two low-mass stellar companions, revealing variability patterns similar to T Tauri stars and providing insights into their accretion mechanisms through spectroscopic analysis.

Contribution

It presents the first detailed characterization of emission line variability in low-mass companions, comparing their accretion processes to those of classical T Tauri stars.

Findings

Both objects show moderate short-term variability (<50%) and larger long-term variability (~1000%).

GQ Lup b's profiles align with magnetospheric accretion models.

GSC 06214-00210 b's profiles fit both magnetospheric and shock models, with shock favored at bright epochs.

Abstract

Emission lines indicative of active accretion have been seen on a handful of low-mass companions (M < 30 MJup) to stars. Line variability is ubiquitous on stellar accretors but has never been characterized in detail on low-mass companions and can give insights on the accretion mechanism at play. We investigate the emission line variability of two low-mass companions (M<30 MJup) to stars to understand their accretion mechanisms. Using J-band observations, we analyze the short to long-term variability of the HI Paschen {\beta} emission line (1.282 {\mu}m) for GQ Lup b and GSC 06214-00210 b. Archival spectroscopic observations are also examined to extend the time span. We compare their line profiles and intensities to more massive accretors and magnetospheric accretion and shock models. Both objects have HI Paschen {\beta} flux variability that is moderate at short timescales (< 50 %) and increases at longer timescales (~1000 % on decade timescales), resembling classical T Tauri stars. GQ Lup b's line profiles are compatible with magnetospheric accretion. GSC 06214-00210 b's profiles are reproduced by both magnetospheric accretion and shock models, except for the brightest epoch for which the shock model is highly favored. Both companions have C/O values broadly consistent with solar values. While magnetospheric accretion is favored for GQ Lup b, higher resolution (R > 10000) observations are required to disentangle the two (non-exclusive) line formation mechanisms. The similarity in variability behavior may support similar accretion mechanisms between these low-mass companions and classical T Tauri stars. The significant variability observed at months and longer timescales could explain the low yield of H{\alpha} imaging campaigns.