E. Polomski, G. T. Ruch, C. E. Woodward, R. D. Gehrz (University of Minnesota)
RNO 1B/C and Parsamian 21 are classified as FU Ori systems based upon similarities to the optical spectra of other known FU Ori systems. FU Ori systems are believed to be actively accreting circumstellar disk systems and exhibit many phenomena associated with the early stages of disk/star evolution. We have obtained infrared imaging and spectroscopy of RNO 1B, RNO 1C and Parsamian 21 with the Spitzer Space Telescope. These observations reveal a wealth of infrared features from ices, silicates, hydrocarbons, and molecular hydrogen. RNO 1B/C and Parsamian 21 show extremely different mineralogy; the RNO 1B and 1C systems are dominated by ices and silicates, whereas Parsamian 21 is dominated by emission from hydrocarbon grains similar to those found in smog. These features are indicative of the grain sizes, extinction, and composition of the dust in the circumstellar environments of these stars. We present 3-70 micron imaging and infrared and optical spectroscopy of these objects and explore the relationship of the spectral features to the FU Ori phenomena and circumstellar disk evolution. This work is based on observations made with the Spitzer Space Telescope, which is operated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology under NASA contract 1407. The authors were supported in part through contracts 1256406 and 1215746 issued by JPL/Caltech to the University of Minnesota.
Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 37 #2
© 2005. The American Astronomical Soceity.