Magnetospheric accretion in the DF Tauri binary star system

Star system: DF Tauri A | Distance from the Sun: 576 light years

This research investigates how young stars grow by pulling in material from their surrounding environment, specifically within the DF Tauri binary system. By using high-resolution observations, astronomers analyzed the primary star in this pair to see if its companion affects how it 'feeds' on gas and dust. 

They found that despite being part of a double-star system, the primary star follows a traditional growth model where a strong magnetic field acts like a funnel, guiding material from a nearby disc onto the star's surface. This process creates intense 'shocks' as the material hits the star. Interestingly, the study found a major difference in the magnetic fields between the two stars, suggesting that the act of accreting material might fundamentally change a star's magnetic evolution compared to its non-accreting siblings.

Scientific study

Characterising the magnetospheric accretion process of DF Tauri's primary (external link)