| 1. |
- Raiteri, C. M., et al.
(author)
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WEBT and XMM-Newton observations of 3C 454.3 during the post-outburst phase - Detection of the little and big blue bumps
- 2007
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 473:3, s. 819-827
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. The quasar-type blazar 3C 454.3 was observed to undergo an unprecedented optical outburst in spring 2005, affecting the source brightness from the near-IR to the X-ray frequencies. This was first followed by a millimetric and then by a radio outburst, which peaked in February 2006. Aims. In this paper we report on follow-up observations to study the multiwavelength emission in the post-outburst phase. Methods. Radio, near-infrared, and optical monitoring was performed by the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT) collaboration in the 2006-2007 observing season. XMM-Newton observations on July 2-3 and December 18-19, 2006 added information on the X-ray and UV states of the source. Results. The source was in a faint state. The radio flux at the higher frequencies showed a fast decreasing trend, which represents the tail of the big radio outburst. It was followed by a quiescent state, common at all radio frequencies. In contrast, moderate activity characterized the near-IR and optical light curves, with a progressive increase of the variability amplitude with increasing wavelength. We ascribe this redder-when-brighter behaviour to the presence of a ""little blue bump"" due to line emission from the broad line region, which is clearly visible in the source spectral energy distribution (SED) during faint states. Moreover, the data from the XMM- Newton Optical Monitor reveal a rise of the SED in the ultraviolet, suggesting the existence of a "" big blue bump"" due to thermal emission from the accretion disc. The X-ray spectra are well fitted with a power- law model with photoelectric absorption, possibly larger than the Galactic one. However, the comparison with previous X-ray observations would imply that the amount of absorbing matter is variable. Alternatively, the intrinsic X-ray spectrum presents a curvature, which may depend on the X-ray brightness. In this case, two scenarios are possible. i) There is no extra absorption, and the X-ray spectrum hardens at low energies, the hardening being more evident in bright states; ii) there is a constant amount of extra absorption, likely in the quasar environment, and the X-ray spectrum softens at low energies, at least in faint X-ray states. This softening might be the result of a flux contribution by the high-frequency tail of the big blue bump.
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| 2. |
- Farnocchia, Davide, et al.
(author)
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International Asteroid Warning Network Timing Campaign: 2019 XS
- 2022
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In: The Planetary Science Journal. - : Institute of Physics Publishing (IOPP). - 2632-3338. ; 3:7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- As part of the International Asteroid Warning Network's observational exercises, we conducted a campaign to observe near-Earth asteroid 2019 XS around its close approach to Earth on 2021 November 9. The goal of the campaign was to characterize errors in the observation times reported to the Minor Planet Center, which become an increasingly important consideration as astrometric accuracy improves and more fast-moving asteroids are observed. As part of the exercise, a total of 957 astrometric observations of 2019 XS during the encounter were reported and subsequently were analyzed to obtain the corresponding residuals. While the timing errors are typically smaller than 1 s, the reported times appear to be negatively biased, i.e., they are generally earlier than they should be. We also compared the observer-provided position uncertainty with the cross-track residuals, which are independent of timing errors. A large fraction of the estimated uncertainties appear to be optimistic, especially when <0 2. We compiled individual reports for each observer to help identify and remove the root cause of any possible timing error and improve the uncertainty quantification process. We suggest possible sources of timing errors and describe a simple procedure to derive reliable, conservative position uncertainties.
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| 3. |
- Grziwa, S., et al.
(author)
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K2-31B, a Grazing Transiting Hot Jupiter on a 1.26-Day Orbit Around a Bright G7v Star
- 2016
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In: Astronomical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 1538-3881 .- 0004-6256. ; 152:5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report the discovery of K2-31b, the first confirmed transiting hot Jupiter detected by the K2 space mission. We combined K2 photometry with FastCam lucky imaging and FIES and HARPS high-resolution spectroscopy to confirm the planetary nature of the transiting object and derived the system parameters. K2-31b is a 1.8-Jupiter-mass planet on a. 1.26-day orbit around a G7 V star (M-star = 0.91 M-circle dot, R-star = 0.78 R-circle dot). The planetary radius is poorly constrained (0.7
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| 4. |
- Farnocchia, Davide, et al.
(author)
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The Second International Asteroid Warning Network Timing Campaign: 2005 LW3
- 2023
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In: The Planetary Science Journal. - : Institute of Physics (IOP). - 2632-3338. ; 4:11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Earth close approach of near-Earth asteroid 2005 LW3 on 2022 November 23 represented a good opportunity for a second observing campaign to test the timing accuracy of astrometric observation. With 82 participating stations, the International Asteroid Warning Network collected 1046 observations of 2005 LW3 around the time of the close approach. Compared to the previous timing campaign targeting 2019 XS, some individual observers were able to significantly improve the accuracy of their reported observation times. In particular, U.S. surveys achieved good timing performance. However, no broad, systematic improvement was achieved compared to the previous campaign, with an overall negative bias persisting among the different observers. The calibration of observing times and the mitigation of timing errors should be important future considerations for observers and orbit computers, respectively.
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| 5. |
- Petrov, P. P., et al.
(author)
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Another deep dimming of the classical T Tauri star RW Aurigae A
- 2015
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 577
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. RWAur A is a classical T Tauri star (CTTS) with an unusually rich emission line spectrum. In 2014 the star faded by similar to 3 mag in the V band and went into a long-lasting minimum. In 2010 the star underwent a similar fading, although less pronounced. These events in RW Aur A are very unusual among the CTTS, and have been attributed to occultations by passing dust clouds. Aims. We want to find out if any spectral changes took place after the last fading of RW Aur A with the intention of gathering more information on the occulting body and the cause of the phenomenon. Methods. We collected spectra of the two components of RW Aur. The photometry was performed before and during the minimum. Results. The overall spectral signatures reflecting emission from accretion flows from disk to star did not change after the fading. However, blue-shifted absorption components related to the stellar wind increased in strength in certain resonance lines, and the profiles and strengths but not the fluxes of forbidden lines became drastically different. Conclusions. The extinction through the obscuring cloud is grey indicating the presence of large dust grains. At the same time, there are no traces of related absorbing gas. The cloud occults the star and the interior part of the stellar wind, but not the wind or jet further out. The dimming in 2014 was not accompanied by changes in the accretion flows at the stellar surface. There is evidence that the structure and velocity pattern of the stellar wind did change significantly. The dimmings could be related to passing condensations in a tidally disrupted disk, as proposed earlier, but we also speculate that large dust grains have been stirred up from the inclined disk into the line of sight through the interaction with an enhanced wind.
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| 6. |
- Petrov, P. P., et al.
(author)
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Dynamics of wind and the dusty environments in the accreting T Tauri stars RY Tauri and SU Aurigae
- 2019
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In: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 483:1, s. 132-146
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Classical T Tauri stars with ages of less than 10 Myr possess accretion discs. Magnetohydrodynamic processes at the boundary between the disc and the stellar magnetosphere control the accretion and ejections gas flows. We carried out a long series of simultaneous spectroscopic and photometric observations of the classical T Tauri stars, RY Tauri and SU Aurigae, with the aim to quantify the accretion and outflow dynamics at time-scales from days to years. It is shown that dust in the disc wind is the main source of photometric variability of these stars. In RY Tau, we observed a new effect: during events of enhanced outflow, the circumstellar extinction becomes lower. The characteristic time of changes in outflow velocity and stellar brightness indicates that the obscuring dust is near the star. The outflow activity in both stars is changing on a time-scale of years. Periods of quiescence in the variability of the H alpha profile were observed during the 2015-2016 period in RY Tau and during the 2016-2017 period in SU Aur. We interpret these findings in the framework of the magnetospheric accretion model, and we discuss how the global stellar magnetic field can influence the long-term variations of the outflow activity.
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| 7. |
- Salganik, Alexander, et al.
(author)
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On the nature of the X-ray pulsar XTE J1859+083 and its broad-band properties
- 2021
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In: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 509:4, s. 5955-5963
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This work is devoted to the study of the broad-band 0.8-79 keV spectral and timing properties of the poorly studied X-ray pulsar XTE J1859 +083 during its 2015 outburst based on the data from the NuSTAR and Swift observatories. We show that the source pulse profile has complex shape that depends on the energy band. Pulse fraction of XTE J1859+083 has constant value around 35 per cent in the broad energy band, this behaviour is atypical for X-ray pulsars. At the same time its energy spectrum is typical of this class of objects and has a power-law shape with an exponential cutoff at high energies. No cyclotron absorption line was discovered in the source spectrum. On the basis of indirect method and the absence of a cyclotron line, an estimation was made for the magnetic field strength as less than 5 x10(11) G or belonging to the interval from 5 x10(12) to 2.0(-1.2)(+0.9) x10(13) G. Data from the NOT and SALT telescopes as well as optical and IR sky surveys allowed us also to study the nature of its optical companion. We have proposed and studied new possible candidates for the optical companion of XTE J1859+083 and the most likely candidate was identified. The results of the optical and IR photometry and spectroscopy of these possible companions showed that the system is a Be X-ray binary, showing Br gamma, He I, and strong H alpha spectral lines.
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| 8. |
- Tsygankov, Sergey S., et al.
(author)
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X-Ray Pulsar XTE J1858+034 : Discovery of the Cyclotron Line and the Revised Optical Identification
- 2021
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - : IOP PUBLISHING LTD. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 909:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present the results of a detailed investigation of the poorly studied X-ray pulsar (XRP) XTE J1858+034 based on the data obtained with the NuSTAR observatory during the outburst of the source in 2019. The spectral analysis resulted in the discovery of a cyclotron absorption feature in the source spectrum at similar to 48 keV in both the pulse phase-averaged and resolved spectra. Accurate X-ray localization of the source using the NuSTAR and Chandra observatories allowed us to accurately determine the position of the X-ray source and identify the optical companion of the pulsar. The analysis of the counterpart properties suggested that the system is likely a symbiotic binary hosting an XRP and a late-type companion star of the K-M classes rather than a Be X-ray binary as previously suggested.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
- Djupvik, A. A., et al.
(author)
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A multi-wavelength census of star formation activity in the young embedded cluster around Serpens/G3-G6
- 2006
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In: Astronomy & Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 458:3, s. 789-803
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims.The aim of this paper is to characterise the star formation activity in the poorly studied embedded cluster Serpens/G3-G6, located ~45 arcmin (3 pc) to the south of the Serpens Cloud Core, and to determine the luminosity and mass functions of its population of Young Stellar Objects (YSOs).Methods: .Multi-wavelength broadband photometry was obtained to sample the near and mid-IR spectral energy distributions to separate YSOs from field stars and classify the YSO evolutionary stage. ISOCAM mapping in the two filters LW2 (5-8.5 μm) and LW3 (12-18 μm) of a 19 arcmin × 16 arcmin field was combined with JHKS data from 2MASS, KS data from Arnica/NOT, and L arcmin data from SIRCA/NOT. Continuum emission at 1.3 mm (IRAM) and 3.6 cm (VLA) was mapped to study the cloud structure and the coldest/youngest sources. Deep narrow band imaging at the 2.12 μm S(1) line of H2 from NOTCam/NOT was obtained to search for signs of bipolar outflows.Results: .We have strong evidence for a stellar population of 31 Class II sources, 5 flat-spectrum sources, 5 Class I sources, and two Class 0 sources. Our method does not sample the Class III sources. The cloud is composed of two main dense clumps aligned along a ridge over ~0.5 pc plus a starless core coinciding with absorption features seen in the ISOCAM maps. We find two S-shaped bipolar collimated flows embedded in the NE clump, and propose the two driving sources to be a Class 0 candidate (MMS3) and a double Class I (MMS2). For the Class II population we find a best age of ~2 Myr and compatibility with recent Initial Mass Functions (IMFs) by comparing the observed Class II luminosity function (LF), which is complete to 0.08 Lȯ, to various model LFs with different star formation scenarios and input IMFs.
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| 12. |
- Gahm, Gösta F., 1942-, et al.
(author)
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Expanding shells around young clusters - S 171/Be 59
- 2022
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 663
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. Some HII regions that surround young stellar clusters are bordered by molecular shells that appear to expand at a rate inconsistent with our current model simulations. In this study we focus on the dynamics of Sharpless 171 (including NGC 7822), which surrounds the cluster Berkeley 59. Aims. We aim to compare the velocity pattern over the molecular shell with the mean radial velocity of the cluster for estimates of the expansion velocities of different shell structures, and to match the observed properties with model simulations. Methods. Optical spectra of 27 stars located in Berkeley 59 were collected at the Nordic Optical Telescope, and a number of molecular structures scattered over the entire region were mapped in 13CO(1- 0) at Onsala Space Observatory. Results. We obtained radial velocities and MK classes for the clustera's stars. At least four of the O stars are found to be spectroscopic binaries, in addition to one triplet system. From these data we obtain the mean radial velocity of the cluster. From the 13CO spectra we identify three shell structures, expanding relative to the cluster at moderate velocity (4 km s- 1), high velocity (12 km s- 1), and in between. The high-velocity cloudlets extend over a larger radius and are less massive than the low-velocity cloudlets. We performed a model simulation to understand the evolution of this complex. Conclusions. Our simulation of the Sharpless 171 complex and Berkeley 59 cluster demonstrates that the individual components can be explained as a shell driven by stellar winds from the massive cluster members. However, our relatively simple model produces a single component. Modelling of the propagation of shell fragments through a uniform interstellar medium demonstrates that dense cloudlets detached from the shell are decelerated less efficiently than the shell itself. They can reach greater distances and retain higher velocities than the shell.
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| 13. |
- Grinin, V. P., et al.
(author)
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Modelling UX Ori star eclipses based on spectral observations with the Nordic Optical Telescope - I. RR Tau
- 2023
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In: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford University Press. - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 524:3, s. 4047-4061
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Based on observations obtained with the Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT) we investigate the spectral variability of the Herbig Ae star RR Tau. This star belongs to the UX Ori family, characterized by very deep fadings caused by the screening of the star with opaque fragments (clouds) of the protoplanetary discs. At the moments of such minima one observes strong spectral variability due to the fact that the dust cloud occults, for an observer, not only the star but also a part of the region where the emission spectrum originates. We calculated a series of obscuration models to interpret the observed variability of the H a line parameters. We consider two main obscuration scenarios: (1) the dust screen rises vertically above the circumstellar disc, and (2) the screen intersects the line-of-sight moving azimuthally with the disc. In both cases, the model of the emission region consists of a compact magnetosphere and a magnetocentrifugal disc wind. Comparison with observations shows that the first scenario explains well the variability of the radiation flux, the equivalent width, as well as the asymmetry of the H a line during eclipses, while the second scenario explains them only partly. This permits us to suggest that in the case of RR Tau, the main causes of the eclipses are either a structured disc wind, or the charged dust lifted along the field lines of the poloidal component of the magnetic field of the circumstellar disc.
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| 14. |
- Geem, Jooyeon, et al.
(author)
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(3200) Phaethon polarimetry in the negative branch: new evidence for the anhydrous nature of the DESTINY+ target asteroid
- 2022
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In: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters. - : Oxford University Press. - 1745-3925 .- 1745-3933. ; 516:1, s. L53-L57
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report on the first polarimetric study of (3200) Phaethon, the target of JAXA’s DESTINY+ mission, in the negative branch to ensure its anhydrous nature and to derive an accurate geometric albedo. We conducted observations at low phase angles (Sun-target-observer angle, α = 8.8–32.4°) from 2021 October to 2022 January and found that Phaethon has a minimum polarization degree Pmin = −1.3 ± 0.1 per cent, a polarimetric slope h = 0.22 ± 0.02 per cent deg−1, and an inversion angle α0 = 19.9 ± 0.3°. The derived geometric albedo is pV = 0.11 (in the range of 0.08–0.13). These polarimetric properties are consistent with anhydrous chondrites, contradict hydrous chondrites, and typical cometary nuclei.
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| 15. |
- Geem, Jooyeon, et al.
(author)
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Spectral type and geometric albedo of (98943) 2001 CC21, the Hayabusa2# mission target
- 2023
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In: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters. - : Oxford University Press. - 1745-3925 .- 1745-3933. ; 525:1, s. L17-L21
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We conducted optical polarimetry and near-infrared spectroscopy of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)'s Hayabusa2# mission target, (98943) 2001 CC21, in early 2023. Our new observations indicate that this asteroid has a polarimetric inversion angle of ∼20°, absorption bands around 0.9 and 1.9 μm, and a geometric albedo of 0.23 ± 0.04. All these features are consistent with those of S types but inconsistent with L types. Based on this evidence, we conclude that JAXA's Hayabusa2# spacecraft will explore an S-type asteroid (more specifically, an L or LL chondrite-like object) with albedo and size (0.44-0.53 km when we assume the absolute magnitude of 18.8) similar to (25143) Itokawa.
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| 16. |
- Olofsson, Göran, et al.
(author)
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Polarimetric coronagraphy of BD+31 degrees 643
- 2012
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 544, s. A43-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. The binary B5V star BD+ 31 degrees 643 exhibits a disk-like structure detected at optical wavelengths. Even though the feature is well centered on the star, it has been argued, based on Spitzer observations, that the feature is a filament not directly associated to the binary star. Aims. The purpose of the present paper is to investigate whether polarization imaging may provide evidence either for or against the disk hypothesis. In addition, we aim at clarifying whether there might be any additional close companion to the binary star. Methods. We used the coronagraph PolCor in its polarization mode in combination with an EMCCD camera allowing short unit exposure times. As a result of shift-and-add and frame selection, the spatial resolution is improved compared to traditional CCD imaging. In order to possibly reveal an additional stellar companion, we used high resolution spectroscopy in the optical and high spatial resolution imaging in the near-IR. Results. The disk/filament is much better seen in polarization; it is narrow and a line drawn along the ridge passes within a second of arc from the star. The degree of polarization is high (approximate to 50% after correction for the extended component of the reflection nebula) which means that the disk/filament must be approximately at the same distance as the star. Although we confirm that the feature is much brighter south-east than north-west of the star, the evidence that the feature is physically connected to the star is strengthened and suggests that we are witnessing the destruction process of an accretion disk. Our spectroscopy shows that at least one of the stars is a spectroscopic binary. We were, however, not able to spatially resolve any stellar component in addition to the two well separated stars.
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