Variable X-ray Emission of the Planet Hosting T Tauri Star CI Tau

TL;DR

This study reports variable X-ray emission from the young T Tauri star CI Tau, highlighting magnetic activity and analyzing its potential impact on the star's claimed close-in planet, based on Chandra observations in late 2023.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of CI Tau's X-ray variability and discusses its implications for the star's magnetic activity and planetary environment.

Findings

X-ray emission increased in temperature and luminosity over two weeks

High plasma temperatures indicate strong magnetic activity

X-ray variability may influence the planet's environment

Abstract

We report results of Chandra X-ray observations of CI Tau, a young magnetically active classical T Tauri star for which previous studies have reported periodic variability attributed to a massive planet in a short-period orbit. CI Tau was clearly detected by Chandra in four separate observations acquired in late 2023. The X-ray emission was steady in the first two observations with a characteristic plasma temperature kT ~ 2 keV (~23 MK) and X-ray luminosity log Lx = 29.74 erg/s. During each of the last two observations obtained two weeks later the count rate increased slowly and the X-ray plasma temperature was much higher but remained nearly steady at kT ~ 4 - 5 keV (~46 - 58 MK) and peak luminosity log Lx = 30.5 erg/s. Such variable X-ray emission in T Tauri stars accompanied by high plasma temperatures is a signature of magnetic activity, consistent with the known presence of a strong magnetic field in CI Tau. We summarize the variable X-ray emission properties of CI Tau within the framework of T Tauri stars of similar mid-K spectral type, identify possible variability mechanisms, and assess the effects of stellar X-ray irradiation on the claimed planet.