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NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has revealed new information on the young star FU Orionis, situated in the constellation Orion. Observations have shown severe temperatures in the inner portion of its accretion disk, calling existing star accretion theories into question. Astronomers used Hubble's Cosmic Origins Spectrograph and Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph to gather far- and near-ultraviolet spectra, indicating that the disk's inner edge was shockingly hot, with temperatures exceeding 16,000 kelvins—nearly three times the Sun's surface temperature.
A Star's Bright Outburst Explained
FU Orionis, first discovered in 1936, grew a hundred times brighter in months and has remained a unique subject of study. Because of instabilities, its accretion disk contacts the stellar surface, which is unusual for T Tauri stars. These are created by the disk's high mass, interactions with partner stars, or material falling inward. Lynne Hillenbrand, a Caltech co-author, said in a statement that the observed ultraviolet brightness surpassed expectations, showing a highly dynamic interface between the star and its disk.
Implications of Planet Formation
According to a NASA release, the finding has important implications for planetary systems that develop around such stars. The newspaper also reported Adolfo Carvalho, the study's principal author, as adding that although distant planets in the disk may have changing chemical compositions as a result of outbursts, planets developing close to the star may risk disruption or annihilation. This new model sheds light on the survival of rocky planets in early star systems, he noted.
Future Investigations on FU Orionis
The study team is still looking at spectrum emission lines in the acquired data, hoping to pinpoint gas migration in the star's core regions. Hillenbrand observed that FU Orionis provides a unique chance to investigate the processes at work in eruptive young stars. These observations, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, demonstrate the continued importance of Hubble's ultraviolet capabilities in furthering star research.
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