Investigating Brightness Changes in Dipper Stars

In recent years, scientists have been studying a group of stars known as "DIPPERS". These stars show unusual changes in brightness, which can be linked to the Dust surrounding them. This article discusses the findings from observations of three Dippers and what they reveal about the dust and gas in these star systems.

#What are Dippers?

Dippers are young stars that exhibit irregular changes in brightness over short time periods. This Variability can occur in hours or days. The changes are thought to be caused by dust in the star's surrounding disk, which can block the light from the star. The phenomenon is especially prominent in stars whose disks have a specific orientation.

#Study of Three Dippers

Three specific Dippers were observed using advanced technology to get a better look at the dust surrounding them. The stars were chosen based on earlier observations and were found to not be viewed edge-on, meaning we can see them from a different angle. The stars examined were EPIC 203850058, EPIC 204638512, and EPIC 205151387.

#Observational Methods

The observations of these stars were made with the SpeX spectrograph, which allows scientists to capture light across a range of wavelengths. This technique helps in understanding how light interacts with the dust, revealing details about its properties.

#Dust Characteristics

The study discovered that the dust in the disks around EPIC 204638512 and EPIC 205151387 is different from dust typically observed in space. The data indicated that the dust grains around these stars are larger than what is normally found in typical star-forming regions. In detail, the dust contains very large grains measuring up to 500 microns but lacks smaller grains.

#Variability in Brightness

When the stars experienced changes in brightness, it often indicated that dust was obscuring the light from the stars. The patterns of these changes suggest that the dust is affected by the inner regions of the disks where the dust is positioned. The findings imply that the inner disks of some Dippers might be misaligned compared to their outer disks, leading to the observed variability.

#The Gas Surrounding the Dippers

Aside from the dust, the study also looked at the gas in these systems, particularly a specific line in the light spectrum associated with helium. This line showed signs of changing over time, hinting at the presence of gas mixed with the dust. In some cases, the helium exhibited signs of outflowing gas, indicating dynamic activity in the disks.

#Importance of Observations

The observations collected from the Dippers serve multiple purposes. They enhance our understanding of how stars form and evolve. The changes in brightness linked with the presence of dust provide insights into the processes that contribute to the growth of planets within these disks.

#Dust Growth and Settling

One expectation regarding these dust grains is that they grow over time and settle towards the midplane of the disks. This means that larger grains fall closer to the center, while smaller grains can be found at higher altitudes. However, these large grains can also influence the amount of light blocked from the stars.

#Dust Extinction and Patterns

Dust extinction occurs when the dust particles absorb or scatter light, making stars appear dimmer. The Dippers present a unique opportunity to study this effect in detail. By analyzing the spectra of the stars, scientists can measure how much light the dust blocks at various wavelengths.

#Previous Discoveries

Dipper stars have been observed in other clusters, with similar patterns of brightness variations. These previous studies highlight the role of dust in shaping our observations of young stellar objects. The variability helps to confirm the presence of dust and its properties in these systems.

#Comparing Different Models

The study compared various models of dust behavior to see which fit the observations best. Researchers found that dust models created for young star disks were more effective at explaining the data than traditional models used for dust in the general interstellar medium.

#Implications for Star Formation

The findings from the Dippers enhance what we know about star formation processes. The dust and gas interactions indicate how material moves within the disks, which is crucial for the development of planets. The results suggest that significant growth of dust grains happens in these disks, contributing to the planet-building process.

#Future Observations

Continued observation of Dippers and their dynamics will be essential for deepening our understanding of stellar formation. Future studies could focus on identifying more Dippers and utilizing even more detailed observational techniques.

#Conclusion

The study of Dipper stars reveals important information about the nature of dust and gas in young star systems. By observing changes in brightness and analyzing the properties of surrounding materials, scientists can piece together a clearer picture of how stars and planets form. Understanding these processes is key to unraveling the mysteries of our universe.